Lower Hay Lake
Crow Wing County, Minnesota, near Jenkins. DNR lake ID 18037800.
Lower Hay Lake is a 700.2-acre lake in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, near Jenkins. Its deepest point reaches 100 ft, and about 31% of the lake is shallower than 15 feet. Summer water clarity averages 18.8 feet in Minnesota Pollution Control Agency monitoring, which places it in the oligotrophic nutrient class. It is part of the Whitefish Chain. The DNR lists it for zebra mussel. DNR surveys document walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, bluegill.
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Quick facts
| DNR lake ID | 18037800 |
|---|---|
| County | Crow Wing County, near Jenkins |
| Surface area | 700.2 acres |
| Maximum depth | 100 ft |
| Share under 15 ft | 31% |
| Water clarity (summer) | 18.8 ft through 2025 |
| Phosphorus (summer) | 13.2 µg/L |
| Algae, chlorophyll-a (summer) | 3.8 µg/L |
| Nutrient class | Oligotrophic |
| Clarity trend | Steady (2016 to 2025) |
| Boating chain | Whitefish Chain |
| Invasive species | zebra mussel |
| Public water accesses | 1 |
Water quality
Summer averages from Minnesota Pollution Control Agency monitoring through 2025: clarity 18.8 ft, phosphorus 13.2 µg/L, algae (chlorophyll-a) 3.8 µg/L. Using the Carlson trophic state index, Lower Hay Lake rates as oligotrophic. Summer clarity trend 2016 to 2025: steady.
Fishing on Lower Hay Lake
The most recent DNR standard fish survey was in 2018 (8 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 | 1.5 | 3.3 to 8.8 |
| Walleye | trap | 0.33 | 0.2 to 0.8 |
| Northern pike | gill | 14.08 | 2.8 to 9.0 |
| Northern pike | trap | 0.75 | n/a |
| Yellow perch | gill | 0.42 | 7.0 to 46.3 |
| Black crappie | trap | 0.67 | 0.4 to 2.3 |
| Bluegill | trap | 5.75 | 4.4 to 49.0 |
| Largemouth bass | trap | 1.33 | 0.3 to 1.3 |
| Tullibee (cisco) | gill | 4.08 | 0.8 to 6.2 |
| Lake whitefish | gill | 1.58 | 0.2 to 2.7 |
| Pumpkinseed | trap | 0.67 | 1.8 to 7.8 |
| Rock bass | gill | 0.58 | 0.6 to 3.9 |
| Rock bass | trap | 9.25 | 0.5 to 2.5 |
| Hybrid sunfish | trap | 0.58 | n/a |
Walleye catch was below the typical range for similar lakes in that survey.
Largest fish measured in recent DNR samples: Northern pike 32.0 in (2018), Largemouth bass 16.0 in (2018), Smallmouth bass 10.0 in (2005), Walleye 18.0 in (2022).
Game and panfish documented since 2005: Walleye, Northern pike, Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, Black crappie, Bluegill, Yellow perch, Pumpkinseed, Hybrid sunfish, Rock bass, Green sunfish, Tullibee (cisco), Lake whitefish, Lake trout, Bowfin, Shorthead redhorse, Greater redhorse, Silver redhorse, White sucker, Yellow bullhead, Brown bullhead, Black bullhead.
Fishing regulations
- Sunfish daily limit 5. Crappie daily limit 5. (DNR Quality Sunfish Initiative)
Regulations change. Confirm with the DNR before fishing.
Invasive species
On the Minnesota DNR infested waters list for: zebra mussel (listed 2014).
Public boat access
- Lower Hay Lake: 2 concrete slab launch ramps, 1 dock, 20 trailer spaces. 2.5 miles East of Jenkins on Crow Wing Co. Rd. #145, then 0.25 mile North on Jenkins Township Road. Directions
DNR water access records (2023). Confirm current conditions with the DNR.
Whitefish Chain
Fourteen lakes that became one connected system when the Pine River dam raised the water about ten feet. Roughly 14,000 acres of boatable water around Crosslake, Pequot Lakes, Jenkins, and Pine River. The DNR records Rush and Hen as one lake.
Whitefish Lake, Cross Lake, Big Trout Lake, Rush Lake, Little Pine Lake, Bertha Lake, Arrowhead Lake, Daggett Lake, Clamshell Lake, Pig Lake, Island Lake, Loon Lake
Around the lake
On-water fuel: Whitefish Chain fuel docks, boat to MarineMax Crosslake, Bait Box Marina, or The Wharf on Cross Lake, or Bertha Boat Works on Bertha Lake. Confirm hours before heading out.
Nearby lakes
- Nelson Lake 1.2 mi, Crow Wing County
- Bertha Lake 1.5 mi, Crow Wing County
- Upper Hay Lake 2.0 mi, Crow Wing County
- Island Lake 2.0 mi, Crow Wing County
- Clamshell Lake 2.5 mi, Crow Wing County
- Clear Lake 2.9 mi, Crow Wing County
- Grass Lake 3.0 mi, Crow Wing County
- Whitefish Lake 3.7 mi, Crow Wing County
Questions about Lower Hay Lake
How deep is Lower Hay Lake?
Lower Hay Lake reaches a maximum depth of 100 ft according to Minnesota DNR records. About 31% of the lake is shallower than 15 feet.
How big is Lower Hay Lake?
Lower Hay Lake covers about 700.2 acres in Crow Wing County, Minnesota.
How clear is Lower Hay Lake?
Summer water clarity on Lower Hay Lake averages 18.8 feet (Secchi depth) in MPCA monitoring through 2025. Its trophic state is oligotrophic.
Does Lower Hay Lake have zebra mussels or other invasive species?
The Minnesota DNR infested waters list includes Lower Hay Lake for zebra mussel.
What fish are in Lower Hay Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys document walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, yellow perch, pumpkinseed, hybrid sunfish, rock bass in Lower Hay Lake. The most recent standard survey was in 2018.
Where is the public boat access on Lower Hay Lake?
Lower Hay Lake has 1 public water access site on DNR record: Lower Hay Lake.
How is the walleye population on Lower Hay Lake?
In Minnesota DNR net surveys from 1990 to 2018, walleye numbers on Lower Hay Lake 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 Lower Hay Lake?
Homes on Lower Hay Lake 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 Lower Hay Lake and nearby lakes, including off-market opportunities when available.
What is it like to live on Lower Hay Lake?
A mid-size lake with room for boating and fishing, about 31% shallow shoreline under 15 feet, and summer clarity around 18.8 feet. Conditions vary by property, so walk the frontage and ask us what similar homes have sold for.
Are there special fishing regulations on Lower Hay Lake?
Yes. Sunfish daily limit 5. Crappie daily limit 5.
Ask us about Lower Hay Lake
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 2018), 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.