LivewellMinnesota · St. Louis County · Lake
Crane Lake
Is the fish you caught here safe to eat? Below is every consumption advisory on file for Crane Lake, by species and size, in plain English — plus what's legal to keep.
7 species with advisories · contaminants: Mercury
Northeast Minnesota guidance (Cook, Lake and St. Louis counties) applies here
Crane Lake falls under Minnesota's regional guidance — 50 recommendations covering 24 species, stricter than the statewide rules for several — in addition to anything listed for Crane Lake below.
Strictest regional rule: Muskellunge — For children under 15 and people who are or may become pregnant: do not eat due to elevated Mercury.
See all Northeast Minnesota guidance (Cook, Lake and St. Louis counties) →
What's safe to eat from Crane Lake
Black Crappie
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to two meals per week due to elevated Mercury. |
| Children under 15 and people who are or may become pregnant | For children under 15 and people who are or may become pregnant: limit to one meal per month due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-23
Cisco
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. |
| Children under 15 and people who are or may become pregnant | For children under 15 and people who are or may become pregnant: limit to one meal per month due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-23
Northern Pike
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Under 24" | Children under 15 and people who are or may become pregnant | For children under 15 and people who are or may become pregnant: limit to one meal per month due to elevated Mercury. |
| Over 24" | Children under 15 and people who are or may become pregnant | For children under 15 and people who are or may become pregnant: do not eat due to elevated Mercury. |
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per month due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-23
Sauger
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per month due to elevated Mercury. |
| Children under 15 and people who are or may become pregnant | For children under 15 and people who are or may become pregnant: do not eat due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-23
Smallmouth Bass
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per month due to elevated Mercury. |
| Children under 15 and people who are or may become pregnant | For children under 15 and people who are or may become pregnant: limit to one meal per month due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-23
Walleye
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Under 14" | General population | Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. |
| Under 17" | Children under 15 and people who are or may become pregnant | For children under 15 and people who are or may become pregnant: limit to one meal per month due to elevated Mercury. |
| Over 14" | General population | Limit to one meal per month due to elevated Mercury. |
| Over 17" | Children under 15 and people who are or may become pregnant | For children under 15 and people who are or may become pregnant: do not eat due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-23
White Crappie
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to two meals per week due to elevated Mercury. |
| Children under 15 and people who are or may become pregnant | For children under 15 and people who are or may become pregnant: limit to one meal per month due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-23
Is it legal to keep?
These rules are specific to Crane Lake. Always verify the current regulations before keeping a fish.
| Species | Size | Daily limit | Open season | Keep season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | Release 18–26" | 6 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Sauger | Release 18–26" | 6 | Year-round | Same as open |
Official rules: Minnesota — Minnesota DNR
Getting on the water
- Crane Lake West Boat Ramp boat ramp 2.1 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 2.2 mi Directions
- Waters Edge Boat Ramp canoe launch 2.3 mi Directions
- Crane Lake (E) Public Water Access Site canoe launch 2.9 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 3.2 mi Directions
Access points from OpenStreetMap contributors.