Crab Orchard Lake

Crab Orchard Lake

Size
7,293ac
Boat Launch
Yes
Carry-in Launch
No
Toilet
Yes
Boat Dock
No
Species in Crab Orchard Lake
Crappie
Crappie
Bluegill
Bluegill
Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
Flathead catfish
Flathead catfish
Channel catfish
Channel catfish
White bass
White bass
Blue catfish
Blue catfish
Striped Bass
Striped Bass

Overview

Weeds and wood are key to finding largemouth bass, crappie and catfish. Good lakeside facilities. 6,695 acres

Crab Orchard Lake Map

Features

Located within Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, the lake is an impoundment of Crab Orchard Creek. The area east of the Wolf Creek Road is closed to all shore fishing except from the causeways at Highway 148 and Wolf Creek Road. Boats are permitted in this area from March 15th through September 30th only. A 40 mph speed limit is in effect. Special size res-trictions are in place for white, hybrid striped, and largemouth bass. Consult the most current regulations booklet to ensure compliance. A health advisory exists for carp and channel catfish taken from waters east of Wolf Creek Road and for carp west of Wolf Creek Road.

Forage

Gizzard shad are the primary prey species in terms of numbers, but young-of-the-year bluegill are the most important food for bass. Brook silverside, golden shiner and crayfish are all part of the forage base.

Seasonal Movements

During spring, white bass are attracted to the flowing inlets to spawn. Later in the spring, rough fish make a similar run.
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Fish Species

Blue catfish
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No abundance data
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
No Survey Data
Bluegill
fish
5-15 in
Length Range
8 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2023
Sep
2024
Sep
Channel catfish
fish
5-15 in
Length Range
8 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2023
Sep
2024
Sep
Crappie
fish
5-15 in
Length Range
8 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2023
Sep
2024
Sep
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized crappie based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
202414
202315
202014
201915
201815
Flathead catfish
fish
5-15 in
Length Range
8 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2023
Sep
2024
Sep
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized flathead-catfish based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
201842
201742
201642
Largemouth bass
fish
5-15 in
Length Range
8 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2023
Sep
2024
Sep
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized largemouth-bass based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
202420
202321
202220
202021
201920
Striped Bass
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No abundance data
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
No Survey Data
White bass
fish
5-15 in
Length Range
8 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2023
Sep
2024
Sep