Upper Mission Lake
Crow Wing County, Minnesota, near Merrifield. DNR lake ID 18024200.
Upper Mission Lake is an 881.6-acre lake in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, near Merrifield. Its deepest point reaches 36 ft, and about 29% of the lake is shallower than 15 feet. Summer water clarity averages 10.9 feet in Minnesota Pollution Control Agency monitoring, which places it in the mesotrophic nutrient class. The DNR lists it for Eurasian watermilfoil. DNR surveys document walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, yellow perch.
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Quick facts
| DNR lake ID | 18024200 |
|---|---|
| County | Crow Wing County, near Merrifield |
| Surface area | 881.6 acres |
| Maximum depth | 36 ft |
| Share under 15 ft | 29% |
| Water clarity (summer) | 10.9 ft through 2025 |
| Phosphorus (summer) | 18.2 µg/L |
| Algae, chlorophyll-a (summer) | 6.9 µg/L |
| Nutrient class | Mesotrophic |
| Clarity trend | Steady (2016 to 2025) |
| Invasive species | Eurasian watermilfoil |
| Public water accesses | 1 |
Water quality
Summer averages from Minnesota Pollution Control Agency monitoring through 2025: clarity 10.9 ft, phosphorus 18.2 µg/L, algae (chlorophyll-a) 6.9 µg/L. Using the Carlson trophic state index, Upper Mission Lake rates as mesotrophic. Summer clarity trend 2016 to 2025: steady.
Fishing on Upper Mission Lake
The most recent DNR standard fish survey was in 2022 (4 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 | 3.25 | 3.3 to 8.8 |
| Northern pike | gill | 15.83 | 2.8 to 9.0 |
| Northern pike | trap | 0.25 | n/a |
| Yellow perch | gill | 18.92 | 7.0 to 46.3 |
| Black crappie | gill | 0.5 | 0.4 to 2.7 |
| Black crappie | trap | 0.25 | 0.4 to 2.3 |
| Bluegill | gill | 8.08 | n/a |
| Bluegill | trap | 31.58 | 4.4 to 49.0 |
| Largemouth bass | gill | 0.42 | 0.3 to 1.4 |
| Largemouth bass | trap | 0.58 | 0.3 to 1.3 |
| Tullibee (cisco) | gill | 0.33 | 0.8 to 6.2 |
| Pumpkinseed | gill | 0.58 | n/a |
| Pumpkinseed | trap | 1.33 | 1.8 to 7.8 |
| Rock bass | gill | 0.67 | 0.6 to 3.9 |
| Rock bass | trap | 1.33 | 0.5 to 2.5 |
| Hybrid sunfish | gill | 0.17 | n/a |
| Hybrid sunfish | trap | 3.83 | n/a |
Walleye catch was below the typical range for similar lakes in that survey.
Largest fish measured in recent DNR samples: Largemouth bass 18.0 in (2022), Northern pike 33.0 in (2022), Walleye 26.0 in (2022).
Game and panfish documented since 2005: Walleye, Northern pike, Largemouth bass, Black crappie, Bluegill, Yellow perch, Pumpkinseed, Hybrid sunfish, Rock bass, Green sunfish, Tullibee (cisco), Bowfin, White sucker, Yellow bullhead, Brown bullhead, Black bullhead.
Fishing regulations
- Northern pike 24 to 36 in must be released (one over 36 allowed). Sunfish daily limit 5. Crappie daily limit 5. (Minnesota Rules 6264.0400, April 2026)
Regulations change. Confirm with the DNR before fishing.
Invasive species
On the Minnesota DNR infested waters list for: Eurasian watermilfoil (listed 2008).
Public boat access
- Upper Mission Lake: 1 concrete slab launch ramp, 1 dock, 9 trailer spaces. 7 miles North of Merrifield on Crow Wing Co. Rd. #3, then 3.5 miles East on Crow Wing Co. Rd. #109. Directions
DNR water access records (2023). Confirm current conditions with the DNR.
Nearby lakes
- Bass Lake 1.7 mi, Crow Wing County
- Little Bass Lake 1.9 mi, Crow Wing County
- Lower Mission Lake 1.9 mi, Crow Wing County
- Miller Lake 2.5 mi, Crow Wing County
- Bonnie Lake 2.6 mi, Crow Wing County
- East Twin Lake 2.8 mi, Crow Wing County
- Horseshoe Lake 2.8 mi, Crow Wing County
- Cole Lake 3.0 mi, Crow Wing County
Questions about Upper Mission Lake
How deep is Upper Mission Lake?
Upper Mission Lake reaches a maximum depth of 36 ft according to Minnesota DNR records. About 29% of the lake is shallower than 15 feet.
How big is Upper Mission Lake?
Upper Mission Lake covers about 881.6 acres in Crow Wing County, Minnesota.
How clear is Upper Mission Lake?
Summer water clarity on Upper Mission Lake averages 10.9 feet (Secchi depth) in MPCA monitoring through 2025. Its trophic state is mesotrophic.
Does Upper Mission Lake have zebra mussels or other invasive species?
The Minnesota DNR infested waters list includes Upper Mission Lake for Eurasian watermilfoil.
What fish are in Upper Mission Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys document walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, yellow perch, pumpkinseed, hybrid sunfish, rock bass, green sunfish in Upper Mission Lake. The most recent standard survey was in 2022.
Where is the public boat access on Upper Mission Lake?
Upper Mission Lake has 1 public water access site on DNR record: Upper Mission Lake.
How is the walleye population on Upper Mission Lake?
In Minnesota DNR net surveys from 1994 to 2022, walleye numbers on Upper Mission 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 Upper Mission Lake?
Homes on Upper Mission 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 Upper Mission Lake and nearby lakes, including off-market opportunities when available.
What is it like to live on Upper Mission Lake?
A mid-size lake with room for boating and fishing, about 29% shallow shoreline under 15 feet, and summer clarity around 10.9 feet. Conditions vary by property, so walk the frontage and ask us what similar homes have sold for.
Are there special fishing regulations on Upper Mission Lake?
Yes. Northern pike 24 to 36 in must be released (one over 36 allowed). Sunfish daily limit 5. Crappie daily limit 5.
Ask us about Upper Mission 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 2022), 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.