Fishing Crescent Lake

Crescent Lake offers excellent bluegill fishing with 43% of fish reaching 7+ inches and a Schneider Index of 5.3 - the best rating ever recorded for this lake. The bluegill population has dramatically improved from poor quality in 1990 to good quality today thanks to consistent walleye stocking that began in 1997. Black crappie fishing is also strong with fish averaging 8.2 inches and three Master Angler Program entries (14+ inches) since 2018. The lake's unique structure features three deep basins (20, 30, and 40 feet) separated by shallow shoals, with a large central island creating diverse habitat. However, summer fishing is challenging as dissolved oxygen drops below fishable levels deeper than 15 feet during July and August stratification, concentrating fish in the upper third of the lake. This 90-acre lake has abundant aquatic vegetation throughout and connects to Elizabeth Lake through a southeast outlet. Largemouth bass average 10.9 inches with 16% exceeding the 14-inch size limit, while northern pike and smallmouth bass maintain naturally reproducing populations despite summer habitat limitations. The diverse forage base includes nine species of minnows and darters, with bluntnose minnows being most abundant. Walleye stocking targets predation control rather than angler harvest - only nine walleye were caught in the 2022 survey but they ranged 10-23 inches, indicating excellent post-stocking survival. The moderate shoreline development (19 dwellings per mile) and 49% armored shoreline still leaves quality spawning habitat in remaining wetland areas.