Crescent Lake Overview
Extremely popular lake. Best action found on weed edges and rocky drop-offs. The clear water produces best during low-light periods, windy conditions and at night. An excellent fall turn-over lake for both walleye and muskie.
Fishing Regulations in Crescent Lake
Special Fishing regulations: This lake has special fishing regulations that differ from statewide or border water regulations for those species identified below and take precedence. Regulations listed below are currently in place. Visit the fishing regulations page for links to upcoming regulations for specific lakes.
Special Waterbody Regulations
- Motor Trolling is allowed with 1 hook, bait, or lure per angler, and 3 hooks, baits, or lures maximum per boat.
- Catch and release fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass is open year round unless otherwise noted.
Special Species Regulations
- Rough fish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited.
- Largemouth bass and smallmouth bass: April 1, 2024 to May 3, 2024: The minimum length limit is 18” and the daily bag limit is 1.
- Lake sturgeon: Closed: No fishing allowed.
- Smallmouth bass: May 4, 2024 to June 14, 2024: Fish may not be harvested (catch and release only).
- Largemouth bass: May 4, 2024 to June 14, 2024: The minimum length limit is 18” and the daily bag limit is 1.
- Muskellunge and hybrids: May 25, 2024 to December 31, 2024: The minimum length limit is 40” and the daily bag limit is 1.
- Northern pike: May 4, 2024 to March 2, 2025: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 5.
- Trout: See specific regulations: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/fishing/trout/.
- Walleye, sauger, and hybrids: May 4, 2024 to March 2, 2025: No minimum length limit, but only 1 fish over 14” is allowed and the daily bag limit is 3.
- Bullheads: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited.
- Cisco and whitefish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10.
- Paddlefish: Closed: No fishing allowed.
- Rock, yellow, and white bass: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited.
- Panfish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 25.
- Catfish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10.
- White perch: Open All Year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a wdnr office.
- Shovelnose sturgeon: Closed: No fishing allowed.
- Ruffe: Open All Year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a wdnr office.
- Round goby: Open All Year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a wdnr office.
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Fish Species
Crescent Lake Bluegill abundance
Average range for similar lakes
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.Crescent Lake Crappie abundance
Average range for similar lakes
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.| Survey Year | Largest Fish (in) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 15 |
Crescent Lake Largemouth bass abundance
Average range for similar lakes
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.Crescent Lake Muskellunge abundance
Average range for similar lakes
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.| Survey Year | Largest Fish (in) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 15 |
Crescent Lake Northern pike abundance
Average range for similar lakes
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.Crescent Lake Perch abundance
Average range for similar lakes
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.Crescent Lake Pumpkinseed abundance
Average range for similar lakes
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.Crescent Lake Rock bass abundance
Average range for similar lakes
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.Crescent Lake Smallmouth bass abundance
Average range for similar lakes
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.Crescent Lake Walleye abundance
Average range for similar lakes
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.
