Minnesota Fishing Guide

Hanks

Crow Wing County, Minnesota — DOW #18004400

214 Surveys

Invasive Species Alert

Hanks has confirmed populations of:

Clean, drain, and dry all equipment before moving to another water body. It's the law in Minnesota.

164.72
Acres
45 ft
Max Depth
0
14
Fish Species
15
Local Guides

DNR Fish Surveys

Catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) data from Minnesota DNR fish population assessments on Hanks. Green = above normal range. Red = below normal.

Brown Bullhead

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1994-06-09 Standard trap nets 1.7 (normal) 0.4 – 2.1 0.79 lb 5
1994-06-09 Standard gill nets 1.5 (normal) 0.5 – 2.5 0.67 lb 3
2016-06-06 Standard gill nets 0.5 (normal) 0.5 – 2.5 1.28 lb 3
1989-06-07 Standard gill nets 0.7 (normal) 0.5 – 2.5 0.75 lb 2
2006-06-05 Standard trap nets 0.4 (normal) 0.4 – 2.1 1.05 lb 4
2023-06-05 Standard gill nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.5 – 2.5 0.89 lb 1
1984-06-07 Standard trap nets 25.7 (above normal) 0.4 – 2.1 1.02 lb 77
1980-06-05 Standard trap nets 6.0 (above normal) 0.4 – 2.1 0.92 lb 18
2012-06-04 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.4 – 2.1 1.15 lb 1
1987-06-03 Standard gill nets 1.0 (normal) 0.5 – 2.5 0.25 lb 2
1987-06-03 Standard trap nets 2.5 (above normal) 0.4 – 2.1 0.16 lb 5

Bluntnose Minnow

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
1994-06-09 Survey seining 28.0 — 84
2006-06-05 Survey seining 39.3 — 118
2012-06-04 15-ft beach seine 18.1 — 163
2012-06-04 Backpack electrofishing 16.2 — 16
2023-07-10 50-ft beach seine 100.7 — 1007
2023-07-10 Backpack electrofishing 27.0 — 30

Yellow Bullhead

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1994-06-09 Standard gill nets 1.0 (normal) 1.0 – 10.5 0.57 lb 2
1994-06-09 Standard trap nets 6.0 (normal) 1.3 – 9.8 0.52 lb 18
2016-06-06 Standard gill nets 0.8 (below normal) 1.0 – 10.5 0.60 lb 5
1989-06-07 Standard gill nets 0.3 (below normal) 1.0 – 10.5 0.60 lb 1
2006-06-05 Standard gill nets 0.5 (below normal) 1.0 – 10.5 0.57 lb 3
2006-06-05 Standard trap nets 12.4 (above normal) 1.3 – 9.8 0.54 lb 112
2023-06-05 Standard gill nets 0.2 (below normal) 1.0 – 10.5 0.91 lb 1
2023-06-05 Standard trap nets 2.4 (normal) 1.3 – 9.8 0.88 lb 22
1984-06-07 Standard gill nets 0.5 (below normal) 1.0 – 10.5 0.30 lb 1
1984-06-07 Standard trap nets 19.7 (above normal) 1.3 – 9.8 0.65 lb 59
1980-06-05 Standard trap nets 27.7 (above normal) 1.3 – 9.8 0.48 lb 83
2012-06-04 Backpack electrofishing 1.0 — — 1
2012-06-04 Standard trap nets 2.1 (normal) 1.3 – 9.8 0.66 lb 19
2012-06-04 Standard gill nets 1.2 (normal) 1.0 – 10.5 0.73 lb 7
1987-06-03 Standard trap nets 22.0 (above normal) 1.3 – 9.8 0.48 lb 44

Rock Bass

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1994-06-09 Survey seining 1.3 — — 4
1994-06-09 Standard trap nets 2.3 (above normal) 0.5 – 1.8 0.30 lb 7
2016-06-06 Standard gill nets 0.7 (normal) 0.3 – 1.9 0.26 lb 4
2006-06-05 Standard gill nets 0.3 (normal) 0.3 – 1.9 0.08 lb 2
2006-06-05 Standard trap nets 1.8 (normal) 0.5 – 1.8 0.29 lb 16
2023-06-05 Standard gill nets 0.3 (normal) 0.3 – 1.9 0.13 lb 2
2023-06-05 Standard trap nets 0.6 (normal) 0.5 – 1.8 0.29 lb 5
1984-06-07 Standard trap nets 16.3 (above normal) 0.5 – 1.8 0.50 lb 49
1980-06-05 Standard trap nets 7.3 (above normal) 0.5 – 1.8 0.49 lb 22
1980-06-05 Standard gill nets 0.5 (normal) 0.3 – 1.9 0.20 lb 1
2012-06-04 15-ft beach seine 0.2 — — 2
2012-06-04 Standard gill nets 0.7 (normal) 0.3 – 1.9 0.30 lb 4
2012-06-04 Backpack electrofishing 3.0 — — 3
2012-06-04 Standard trap nets 3.0 (above normal) 0.5 – 1.8 0.34 lb 27
1987-06-03 Standard trap nets 4.5 (above normal) 0.5 – 1.8 0.23 lb 9
2023-07-10 50-ft beach seine 0.5 — — 5

Northern Pike

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1994-06-09 Standard gill nets 11.5 (above normal) 3.5 – 10.5 1.96 lb 23
1994-06-09 Standard trap nets 2.0 — 0.91 lb 6
1994-06-09 Survey seining 0.3 — — 1
2016-06-06 Standard gill nets 13.5 (above normal) 3.5 – 10.5 1.93 lb 81
1989-06-07 Standard gill nets 9.7 (normal) 3.5 – 10.5 1.53 lb 29
2006-06-05 Standard gill nets 21.2 (above normal) 3.5 – 10.5 1.69 lb 127
2006-06-05 Standard trap nets 1.4 — 1.77 lb 13
2023-06-05 Standard gill nets 12.3 (above normal) 3.5 – 10.5 2.54 lb 74
2023-06-05 Standard trap nets 0.7 — 0.99 lb 6
1984-06-07 Standard gill nets 21.0 (above normal) 3.5 – 10.5 0.72 lb 42
1984-06-07 Standard trap nets 1.0 — 0.93 lb 3
1980-06-05 Standard gill nets 19.0 (above normal) 3.5 – 10.5 1.28 lb 38
1980-06-05 Standard trap nets 2.0 — 1.08 lb 6
2012-06-04 Standard gill nets 14.2 (above normal) 3.5 – 10.5 1.62 lb 85
2012-06-04 Standard trap nets 0.9 — 0.93 lb 8
1987-06-03 Standard gill nets 6.5 (normal) 3.5 – 10.5 1.61 lb 13

BCS

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
1994-06-09 Survey seining 0.7 — 2
2023-07-10 50-ft beach seine 20.1 — 201
2023-07-10 Backpack electrofishing 0.9 — 1

BKF

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
1994-06-09 Survey seining 9.0 — 27
2006-06-05 Survey seining 0.7 — 2
2012-06-04 15-ft beach seine 0.4 — 4
2012-06-04 Backpack electrofishing 2.0 — 2
2023-07-10 50-ft beach seine 6.4 — 64
2023-07-10 Backpack electrofishing 18.9 — 21

Hybrid Sunfish

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1994-06-09 Standard gill nets 0.5 — 0.21 lb 1
1994-06-09 Standard trap nets 0.7 — 0.40 lb 2
2016-06-06 Standard gill nets 0.2 — 0.41 lb 1
2006-06-05 Standard trap nets 2.1 — 0.37 lb 19
2023-06-05 Standard trap nets 2.9 — 0.32 lb 26
1984-06-07 Standard trap nets 2.0 — 0.23 lb 6
2012-06-04 Standard trap nets 4.2 — 0.40 lb 38
1987-06-03 Standard trap nets 2.0 — 0.23 lb 4

Iowa Darter

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
1994-06-09 Survey seining 1.0 — 3
2012-06-04 15-ft beach seine 0.3 — 3
2012-06-04 Backpack electrofishing 1.0 — 1
2023-07-10 50-ft beach seine 2.9 — 29
2023-07-10 Backpack electrofishing 2.7 — 3

Largemouth Bass

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1994-06-09 Survey seining 3.3 — — 10
2016-06-06 Standard gill nets 0.8 (normal) 0.3 – 1.7 1.38 lb 5
1989-06-07 Standard gill nets 0.7 (normal) 0.3 – 1.7 1.38 lb 2
2006-06-05 Standard electrofishing 142.4 — 0.89 lb 70
2006-06-05 Survey seining 3.0 — — 9
2006-06-05 Standard gill nets 0.5 (normal) 0.3 – 1.7 0.98 lb 3
2006-06-05 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.3 – 1.3 0.24 lb 2
2023-06-05 Standard electrofishing 160.0 — 0.99 lb 80
2023-06-05 Standard gill nets 0.5 (normal) 0.3 – 1.7 1.27 lb 3
2012-06-04 Standard electrofishing 152.3 — 1.02 lb 72
2012-06-04 15-ft beach seine 6.7 — — 60
2012-06-04 Backpack electrofishing 11.1 — — 11
2012-06-04 Standard trap nets 1.9 (above normal) 0.3 – 1.3 0.75 lb 17
1987-06-03 Standard trap nets 1.0 (normal) 0.3 – 1.3 1.90 lb 2
2023-07-10 Backpack electrofishing 6.3 — — 7
2023-07-10 50-ft beach seine 7.1 — — 71

Bluegill

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1994-06-09 Survey seining 61.0 — — 183
1994-06-09 Standard gill nets 1.0 — 0.37 lb 2
1994-06-09 Standard trap nets 25.7 (normal) 6.1 – 46.6 0.15 lb 77
2016-06-06 Standard gill nets 0.2 — 0.40 lb 1
2006-06-05 Survey seining 38.7 — — 116
2006-06-05 Standard gill nets 1.0 — 0.11 lb 6
2006-06-05 Standard trap nets 8.9 (normal) 6.1 – 46.6 0.22 lb 80
2023-06-05 Standard gill nets 0.2 — 0.04 lb 1
2023-06-05 Standard trap nets 16.7 (normal) 6.1 – 46.6 0.19 lb 150
1984-06-07 Standard trap nets 110.7 (above normal) 6.1 – 46.6 0.14 lb 332
1984-06-07 Standard gill nets 0.5 — 0.10 lb 1
1980-06-05 Standard trap nets 52.0 (above normal) 6.1 – 46.6 0.16 lb 156
2012-06-04 Standard gill nets 0.2 — 0.05 lb 1
2012-06-04 Backpack electrofishing 42.5 — — 42
2012-06-04 Standard trap nets 48.1 (above normal) 6.1 – 46.6 0.13 lb 433
2012-06-04 15-ft beach seine 11.3 — — 102
1987-06-03 Standard trap nets 91.5 (above normal) 6.1 – 46.6 0.12 lb 183
1987-06-03 Standard gill nets 1.0 — 0.05 lb 2
2023-07-10 Backpack electrofishing 19.8 — — 22
2023-07-10 50-ft beach seine 74.9 — — 749

Pumpkinseed

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1994-06-09 Survey seining 2.3 — — 7
1994-06-09 Standard trap nets 1.7 (below normal) 2.0 – 8.5 0.25 lb 5
2006-06-05 Survey seining 1.7 — — 5
2006-06-05 Standard gill nets 0.2 — 0.06 lb 1
2006-06-05 Standard trap nets 3.9 (normal) 2.0 – 8.5 0.27 lb 35
2023-06-05 Standard trap nets 3.9 (normal) 2.0 – 8.5 0.35 lb 35
1984-06-07 Standard trap nets 9.0 (above normal) 2.0 – 8.5 0.19 lb 27
1980-06-05 Standard trap nets 4.7 (normal) 2.0 – 8.5 0.20 lb 14
2012-06-04 Standard trap nets 8.2 (normal) 2.0 – 8.5 0.30 lb 74
1987-06-03 Standard trap nets 16.5 (above normal) 2.0 – 8.5 0.17 lb 33
2023-07-10 50-ft beach seine 3.5 — — 35

Walleye

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1994-06-09 Standard gill nets 0.5 (below normal) 1.3 – 5.0 2.58 lb 1
2016-06-06 Standard gill nets 0.3 (below normal) 1.3 – 5.0 4.23 lb 2
1989-06-07 Standard gill nets 2.0 (normal) 1.3 – 5.0 4.46 lb 6
2006-06-05 Standard gill nets 1.5 (normal) 1.3 – 5.0 5.16 lb 9
2023-06-05 Standard electrofishing 2.0 — 8.61 lb 1
2023-06-05 Standard gill nets 1.0 (below normal) 1.3 – 5.0 7.29 lb 6
1984-06-07 Standard gill nets 0.5 (below normal) 1.3 – 5.0 4.50 lb 1
1980-06-05 Standard gill nets 1.0 (below normal) 1.3 – 5.0 2.70 lb 2
2012-06-04 Standard gill nets 0.8 (below normal) 1.3 – 5.0 4.86 lb 5
2012-06-04 Standard electrofishing 4.2 — 0.29 lb 2
1987-06-03 Standard gill nets 0.5 (below normal) 1.3 – 5.0 6.50 lb 1

Yellow Perch

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1994-06-09 Survey seining 7.0 — — 21
2016-06-06 Standard gill nets 0.2 (below normal) 3.4 – 43.6 0.06 lb 1
2006-06-05 Survey seining 2.3 — — 7
2006-06-05 Standard gill nets 0.2 (below normal) 3.4 – 43.6 0.09 lb 1
1984-06-07 Standard gill nets 0.5 (below normal) 3.4 – 43.6 0.30 lb 1
2012-06-04 15-ft beach seine 0.9 — — 8
2012-06-04 Standard gill nets 0.8 (below normal) 3.4 – 43.6 0.09 lb 5
2012-06-04 Backpack electrofishing 1.0 — — 1
2012-06-04 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.5 – 3.3 0.09 lb 2
2023-07-10 Backpack electrofishing 6.3 — — 7
2023-07-10 50-ft beach seine 23.2 — — 232

Johnny Darter

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
1994-06-09 Survey seining 1.3 — 4
2012-06-04 15-ft beach seine 0.3 — 3
2023-07-10 Backpack electrofishing 39.6 — 44
2023-07-10 50-ft beach seine 4.1 — 41

Tullibee (Cisco)

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1994-06-09 Standard gill nets 18.0 (above normal) 0.5 – 4.8 0.70 lb 36
2016-06-06 Standard gill nets 42.8 (above normal) 0.5 – 4.8 0.52 lb 257
1989-06-07 Standard gill nets 28.7 (above normal) 0.5 – 4.8 0.58 lb 86
2006-06-05 Standard gill nets 13.8 (above normal) 0.5 – 4.8 0.67 lb 83
2023-06-05 Standard gill nets 28.2 (above normal) 0.5 – 4.8 0.55 lb 169
1984-06-07 Standard gill nets 29.0 (above normal) 0.5 – 4.8 0.83 lb 58
1980-06-05 Standard gill nets 21.0 (above normal) 0.5 – 4.8 0.90 lb 42
2012-06-04 Standard gill nets 17.0 (above normal) 0.5 – 4.8 0.73 lb 102
1987-06-03 Standard gill nets 34.5 (above normal) 0.5 – 4.8 0.37 lb 69

White Sucker

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1994-06-09 Standard gill nets 0.5 (normal) 0.5 – 2.7 3.20 lb 1
2016-06-06 Standard gill nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.5 – 2.7 1.97 lb 1
2012-06-04 Standard gill nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.5 – 2.7 4.66 lb 1

Black Crappie

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1994-06-09 Standard gill nets 0.5 (below normal) 0.6 – 3.5 0.86 lb 1
1994-06-09 Standard trap nets 1.0 (normal) 0.7 – 3.4 0.41 lb 3
2016-06-06 Standard gill nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.6 – 3.5 0.17 lb 2
1989-06-07 Standard gill nets 0.7 (normal) 0.6 – 3.5 0.10 lb 2
2006-06-05 Standard gill nets 1.8 (normal) 0.6 – 3.5 0.75 lb 11
2006-06-05 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.7 – 3.4 0.56 lb 2
2023-06-05 Standard gill nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.6 – 3.5 0.38 lb 1
2023-06-05 Standard trap nets 2.0 (normal) 0.7 – 3.4 0.36 lb 18
1984-06-07 Standard trap nets 2.7 (normal) 0.7 – 3.4 0.45 lb 8
1980-06-05 Standard gill nets 0.5 (below normal) 0.6 – 3.5 0.10 lb 1
1980-06-05 Standard trap nets 3.7 (above normal) 0.7 – 3.4 0.41 lb 11
2012-06-04 Standard gill nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.6 – 3.5 1.08 lb 2
2012-06-04 Standard trap nets 2.6 (normal) 0.7 – 3.4 0.39 lb 23
1987-06-03 Standard trap nets 3.0 (normal) 0.7 – 3.4 0.28 lb 6

Bowfin

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1994-06-09 Standard trap nets 2.7 (above normal) 0.4 – 1.3 5.30 lb 8
1989-06-07 Standard gill nets 0.3 (normal) 0.3 – 0.6 2.50 lb 1
2006-06-05 Standard gill nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.3 – 0.6 2.74 lb 1
2006-06-05 Standard trap nets 1.7 (above normal) 0.4 – 1.3 4.43 lb 15
2023-06-05 Standard trap nets 2.1 (above normal) 0.4 – 1.3 5.64 lb 19
1984-06-07 Standard trap nets 3.3 (above normal) 0.4 – 1.3 3.42 lb 10
1980-06-05 Standard trap nets 0.7 (normal) 0.4 – 1.3 2.62 lb 2
2012-06-04 Standard trap nets 0.7 (normal) 0.4 – 1.3 5.73 lb 6
1987-06-03 Standard trap nets 3.0 (above normal) 0.4 – 1.3 4.10 lb 6

Black Bullhead

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2006-06-05 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.3 – 3.2 0.86 lb 1
1984-06-07 Standard gill nets 0.5 (below normal) 0.8 – 7.7 0.40 lb 1
2012-06-04 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.3 – 3.2 0.83 lb 1

Spottail Shiner

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2006-06-05 Survey seining 0.7 — 2
2023-07-10 50-ft beach seine 0.4 — 4
2023-07-10 Backpack electrofishing 0.9 — 1

LED

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2012-06-04 15-ft beach seine 0.1 — 1
2023-07-10 50-ft beach seine 2.6 — 26

BNS

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2012-06-04 15-ft beach seine 2.2 — 20
2012-06-04 Backpack electrofishing 1.0 — 1
2023-07-10 50-ft beach seine 13.9 — 139

Tadpole Madtom

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2012-06-04 Backpack electrofishing 2.0 — 2

Brook Trout

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2023-07-10 50-ft beach seine 0.5 — 5

CNM

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2023-07-10 Backpack electrofishing 1.8 — 2
2023-07-10 50-ft beach seine 0.1 — 1

Golden Shiner

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2023-07-10 50-ft beach seine 1.5 — 15

PGS

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2023-07-10 50-ft beach seine 0.3 — 3
2023-07-10 Backpack electrofishing 0.9 — 1

BST

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2023-07-10 50-ft beach seine 0.4 — 4

Mimic Shiner

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2023-07-10 50-ft beach seine 0.4 — 4

Depth Maps & Lake Info

View on MN DNR LakeFinder

Map & Directions

Get Directions

Showing 14 nearby bait & tackle shops on the map.

Nearby Bait & Tackle

Adventure To Go - Nisswa

Nisswa, MN

(218) 820-1301

★ 4.4

Bertha Boatworks

Pequot Lakes, MN

(218) 543-4100

★ 4.5

Birch Island Outdoors

Brainerd, MN

Brad Dwyer Outdoors

Brainerd, MN

(218) 838-0001

★ 5

Crow Wing Kayaks

Crosslake, MN

(218) 692-1200

★ 4.9

Dunham's Sports

Baxter, MN

(218) 829-2367

★ 4

Fish Lectronics of Nisswa

Pequot Lakes, MN

(218) 568-4806

★ 5

Fishy Gifts

Pequot Lakes, MN

(218) 568-2347

★ 5

Nearby Marinas

66 Marine North

Crosslake, MN

(218) 692-6161

★ 4.3

66 marine north storage

Crosslake, MN

(218) 692-6161

Bay Lake Marine - Sales

Deerwood, MN

(218) 534-3435

★ 4.3

Bay Lake Marine-Service

Deerwood, MN

(218) 678-2096

★ 4.2

Bell Marine LLC

Merrifield, MN

(218) 821-0842

Boats and beyond - dock

Brainerd, MN

(218) 963-7700

★ 4.9

Resorts & Lodges Near Hanks

Plan your stay — fishing resorts and lodges near Hanks.

Bay Colony Inn (A Gull Lake Beach Resorts Property)
Fishing Resort Nisswa

(218) 656-6965
Crosslake Cabin
Fishing Resort Crosslake
Crosslake Cabins
Fishing Resort Crosslake
Crosslake Vacations & Rentals
Fishing Resort Crosslake

(218) 656-0403

View all 888 Minnesota resorts →

Fish Species

Species known to inhabit Hanks. Click any species for a full fishing guide.

Black CrappieBluegillBowfin (Dogfish)Brown BullheadHybrid SunfishLargemouth BassNorthern PikePumpkinseedRock BassTullibee (Cisco)WalleyeWhite SuckerYellow BullheadYellow Perch

Fishing Guides Near Hanks

371 Outdoors (Ice Forts)
Fishing Guide

(218) 824-1722
Blong's Brainerd Guide Service
Fishing Guide

(218) 825-8965
Brainerd Fishing Guides
Fishing Guide

(218) 829-7010
Crosslake Rental
Fishing Guide

(218) 692-7368
Ice Camp Outfitters
Fishing Guide

(320) 345-7111
Let's Go Fishing Brd Lks Chapter
Fishing Guide

(218) 454-3474

View all 15 guides →

Other Lakes in Crow Wing County

Adney

310.06 acres

Agate

187.03 acres

Allen

44.45 acres

Ann

46.61 acres

Anna

112.16 acres

Arrowhead

296.37 acres

Plan Your Trip to Hanks

Data sourced from Minnesota DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife. Last verified: March 19, 2026. Learn how we maintain this data.