Cross Lake Reservoir
depth
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Depth scale
Survey readout
Cross Lake Reservoir is mapped to a depth of 80 ft on the Minnesota DNR survey and covers about 1,775 acres in Crow Wing County, Minnesota. Depths come from the Minnesota DNR survey of 1960.
Measured from the Minnesota DNR lake bathymetric contour survey.
- Deepest mapped contour
- 80 ft
- Survey year
- 1960
- Surface area
- 1,775 acres
- Shoreline
- 19.42 mi · irregular
- Aquatic vegetation
- 1% of surface · NDVI estimate
- Public access
- Trailer Launch · Cross Lake #1 Public Water Access Site · Minnesota DNR site · 2 more
Additional depth details8 contours
- Contour depths
- 0–80 ft
- Recorded point soundings
- 80 ft, 40 ft, 20 ft
Provenance
Sources: MN DNR Lake Bathymetric Contours, USGS 3DEP, USDA NAIP (public domain), OpenStreetMap (ODbL).
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Map details & sources4 sources
All layers registered to one bounding box; positions in WGS 84.
Survey-derived depth contours drape over USGS 3DEP elevation, with a USDA NAIP aerial basemap and OpenStreetMap shoreline. Color shows surveyed depth; dark lines are the survey's own isobaths.
- Coordinates
- 46.66802, -94.12767
- MN DNR lake ID
- 18031200
- Vertical exaggeration
- 1.4×
- Basemap
- USDA NAIP · public domain
- Model size
- 2.3 MB
Paddling
Paddling Index methodology v1.0 · calculated 2026-09-25Cross Lake Reservoir has a mixed natural and developed setting, notable open-water exposure, substantial nearby higher-volume roads.
Why this score?5 components
Included in the index
| Component | Rating | Points of weight | Measurement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural setting | Mixed | 14.2 of 35 | 53% natural land cover within 150 m of shore (25% forest, 27% wetland; 34% developed) |
| Geometric wind exposure | Mixed | 6.8 of 29 | mean fetch 2,583 m · 0% of sampled water within 500 m of shelter · long fetch in some directions |
| Motor & speed rules | Not modeled | — | Minnesota’s lake-by-lake motor, speed and no-wake rules are mostly county and city ordinances, not map data, so they are not part of the Minnesota index. Check local signage and ordinances before going out. |
| Public access | Good | 15.0 of 18 | 3 DNR public access sites · boat ramp · ADA-accessible |
| Road isolation | Modest | 1.6 of 18 | substantial nearby higher-volume roads · 18 MnDOT-classified segments within 1.2 km, peak 5,951 vehicles/day |
Additional paddling considerations
These describe the lake but are not part of the v1 Paddling Index and do not change the number above.
- Wake sensitivity
- Low — wide enough that wakes disperse over most of the lake
- Aquatic vegetation
- Low — approximately 1% mapped coverage · NAIP aerial imagery (NDVI)
- Observed motorized activity
- Unknown — No lake-level measurement of boat traffic is available. Legal permission to operate motors is not evidence of use.
- Wildlife habitat potential
- Moderate — 25% forest and 27% wetland cover within 150 m of shore
- State water trail
- On a state water trail — Part of a designated Minnesota State Water Trail: Pine River. · MN DNR State Water Trails
Compare Minnesota lakes by Paddling Index →
Fish you might catch
from DNR surveys & active stocking19 species with recent evidence in this lake — sized relative to each other. Illustrations are AI-generated representative adults in everyday colors, not photographs (provenance).
White Sucker
Shorthead Redhorse
Hybrid Sunfish
SunfishAbout these fish → the Fish of Minnesota guide
Fishery
surveyed 2024Gamefish Northern Pike 234 · Largemouth Bass 71 · Walleye 36 · Bowfin 11
Panfish Bluegill 478 · Pumpkinseed 100 · Rock Bass 96
All survey species19 species
Gamefish
Panfish
Bullhead & catfish
Forage & nongame
DNR stocking
state stocking record · 2016–2025Fish the Minnesota DNR has planted in this lake — what was added, distinct from what a survey netted above.
Infested waters listing
1 confirmedMussels & snails
Zebra MusselConfirmed in this water in 2013 (listed 2014).
How to identify invasive species in Minnesota lakes →
What does the infested waters list mean?
The Minnesota DNR lists a lake, river, pond or wetland as infested when it contains an aquatic invasive species that could spread to other waters, or when it is connected to a water where one is present. Activities such as bait harvest and water use are managed differently on infested waters. Check the current list before moving water, bait or equipment.
Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. List of Infested Waters, September 9, 2026. https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/ais/infested.html
Cross Lake Reservoir — common questions
How deep is Cross Lake Reservoir?
The deepest contour on the Minnesota DNR bathymetric survey of Cross Lake Reservoir is 80 ft. That is the deepest depth the historical survey map records, which may differ from the deepest point of the lake itself.
How big is Cross Lake Reservoir?
Cross Lake Reservoir covers about 1,775 acres in Crow Wing County, Minnesota.
What fish are in Cross Lake Reservoir?
Species with survey, catch or recent-stocking evidence include lake whitefish, largemouth bass, northern pike, smallmouth bass, walleye, black bullhead. The page lists all 19 species and the evidence behind each.
Is there public access to Cross Lake Reservoir?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR lists 3 public access sites on Cross Lake Reservoir: Cross Lake #1 Public Water Access Site (boat ramp); Cross Lake #2 Public Water Access Site (boat ramp); Crosslake Lake Public Water Access (boat ramp).
