Bay
Crow Wing County, Minnesota, near Deerwood (Crow Wing). DNR lake ID 18003400.
Bay is a 2,330-acre lake in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, near Deerwood (Crow Wing). Its deepest point reaches 74 ft, and about 43% of the lake is shallower than 15 feet. Summer water clarity averages 17.0 feet in Minnesota Pollution Control Agency monitoring, which places it in the mesotrophic nutrient class. The DNR lists it for Eurasian watermilfoil, zebra mussel. DNR surveys document walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, yellow perch.
Buying or selling on Bay? Ask us what lakeshore here actually sells for, which stretches of shoreline buyers compete for, and what’s coming up before it’s listed.
Tell us about your dream home on BayWhat’s my Bay property worth?Call (218) 656-6469
Quick facts
| DNR lake ID | 18003400 |
|---|---|
| County | Crow Wing County, near Deerwood (Crow Wing) |
| Surface area | 2,330 acres |
| Maximum depth | 74 ft |
| Share under 15 ft | 43% |
| Water clarity (summer) | 17.0 ft through 2025 |
| Phosphorus (summer) | 15.8 µg/L |
| Algae, chlorophyll-a (summer) | 2.7 µg/L |
| Nutrient class | Mesotrophic |
| Clarity trend | Clearer (2016 to 2025) |
| Invasive species | Eurasian watermilfoil, zebra mussel |
| Public water accesses | 1 |
Water quality
Summer averages from Minnesota Pollution Control Agency monitoring through 2025: clarity 17.0 ft, phosphorus 15.8 µg/L, algae (chlorophyll-a) 2.7 µg/L. Using the Carlson trophic state index, Bay rates as mesotrophic. Summer clarity trend 2016 to 2025: clearer.
Fishing on Bay
The most recent DNR standard fish survey was in 2021 (5 years ago). Catch per net is compared with the DNR’s typical range for lakes of the same type.
| Species | Net | Catch per net | Typical range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | gill | 1.0 | 4.0 to 9.6 |
| Walleye | trap | 0.07 | 0.3 to 0.9 |
| Northern pike | gill | 9.87 | 3.0 to 7.9 |
| Northern pike | trap | 1.33 | n/a |
| Yellow perch | trap | 0.07 | 0.7 to 3.7 |
| Black crappie | gill | 0.4 | 0.2 to 1.1 |
| Black crappie | trap | 0.6 | 0.3 to 1.7 |
| Bluegill | gill | 0.47 | n/a |
| Bluegill | trap | 9.53 | 3.7 to 42.9 |
| Largemouth bass | gill | 1.73 | 0.3 to 1.2 |
| Largemouth bass | trap | 0.8 | 0.4 to 1.4 |
| Tullibee (cisco) | gill | 0.2 | 0.5 to 5.2 |
| Pumpkinseed | gill | 0.47 | n/a |
| Pumpkinseed | trap | 1.87 | 1.6 to 6.9 |
| Rock bass | gill | 1.27 | 1.0 to 6.6 |
| Rock bass | trap | 3.07 | 0.7 to 3.3 |
| Hybrid sunfish | gill | 0.8 | n/a |
| Hybrid sunfish | trap | 1.93 | n/a |
Walleye catch was below the typical range for similar lakes in that survey.
Largest fish measured in recent DNR samples: Northern pike 35.0 in (2021), Largemouth bass 17.0 in (2021), Walleye 25.0 in (2021).
Game and panfish documented since 2005: Walleye, Northern pike, Largemouth bass, Black crappie, Bluegill, Yellow perch, Pumpkinseed, Hybrid sunfish, Rock bass, Tullibee (cisco), Bowfin, White sucker, Yellow bullhead, Brown bullhead, Black bullhead.
Fishing regulations
No lake-specific regulation found in Minnesota Rules or the DNR sunfish list. Statewide and zone regulations apply.
Regulations change. Confirm with the DNR before fishing.
Invasive species
On the Minnesota DNR infested waters list for: Eurasian watermilfoil (listed 1995), zebra mussel (listed 2018).
Public boat access
- Bay Lake: 1 concrete slab launch ramp, 1 dock, 15 trailer spaces. 6 miles south on St Hwy 6, then 1.5 miles east on cty 14, then 0.5 miles south on battle point Rd Directions
DNR water access records (2023). Confirm current conditions with the DNR.
Nearby lakes
- Knieff Lake 2.0 mi, Crow Wing County
- Long / Tame Fish Lake 2.1 mi, Crow Wing County
- Birch Lake 2.3 mi, Aitkin County
- Partridge Lake 2.4 mi, Crow Wing County
- Crooked Lake 2.5 mi, Crow Wing County
- Turtle Lake 2.7 mi, Crow Wing County
- Spectacle Lake 2.9 mi, Aitkin County
- Hanks Lake 3.1 mi, Crow Wing County
Questions about Bay
How deep is Bay?
Bay reaches a maximum depth of 74 ft according to Minnesota DNR records. About 43% of the lake is shallower than 15 feet.
How big is Bay?
Bay covers about 2,330 acres in Crow Wing County, Minnesota.
How clear is Bay?
Summer water clarity on Bay averages 17.0 feet (Secchi depth) in MPCA monitoring through 2025. Its trophic state is mesotrophic.
Does Bay have zebra mussels or other invasive species?
The Minnesota DNR infested waters list includes Bay for Eurasian watermilfoil, zebra mussel.
What fish are in Bay?
Minnesota DNR surveys document walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, yellow perch, pumpkinseed, hybrid sunfish, rock bass, tullibee (cisco) in Bay. The most recent standard survey was in 2021.
Where is the public boat access on Bay?
Bay has 1 public water access site on DNR record: Bay Lake.
How is the walleye population on Bay?
In Minnesota DNR net surveys from 1992 to 2021, walleye numbers on Bay ran mostly below the typical range for similar lakes. Nets measure how many fish a lake holds, not where they’re biting, so local guides are the best source for current fishing.
Are there lake homes for sale on Bay?
Homes on Bay come up for sale throughout the year, and some sell before they’re ever publicly advertised. Tell us what you’re looking for and our agents will run a custom search and send you matching homes on Bay and nearby lakes, including off-market opportunities when available.
What is it like to live on Bay?
A mid-size lake with room for boating and fishing, about 43% shallow shoreline under 15 feet, and summer clarity around 17.0 feet. Conditions vary by property, so walk the frontage and ask us what similar homes have sold for.
Are there special fishing regulations on Bay?
No lake-specific regulation was found for Bay in Minnesota Rules or the DNR sunfish list. Statewide and zone regulations apply.
Ask us about Bay
Whether you’re buying, selling, or just curious, our team works Crow Wing County lakes every day. Send us a note or call (218) 656-6469.
Sources: Minnesota DNR LakeFinder records, DNR fish surveys (latest 2021), DNR infested waters list (Sept 2026), Minnesota Rules 6264.0400 (April 2026), MPCA monitoring via the Water Quality Portal, DNR water access records (2023), LAGOS-US. Lakewide information from public data; it does not describe any specific property. Verify shoreline, bottom type, and depth at any frontage.