Serpent Lake Fishing Tips
Serpent Lake provides anglers with excellent opportunities to catch walleyes, northern pike, bass, and crappie within the Crosby–Deerwood area of the Brainerd Lakes Region.
Anglers looking to learn the lake quickly or improve their chances of success can book a trip with The Fish Guyd Guide Service, which specializes in guiding anglers throughout the Brainerd Lakes Area.
Resorts Nearby
Ruttger's Bay Lake Resort
Cuyuna Lakes Stay
Country Inn Deerwood
Nearby Lakes
Rabbit Lake
Clearwater Lake
Bay Lake
Borden Lake
Nokay Lake
Cross Lake
Mission LAKE
south Long Lake
Species We Target
Walleye
Northern Pike
Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
Panfish
Serpent Lake Fishery Summary
Serpent Lake is a popular fishery located in the heart of the Crosby–Deerwood area of Crow Wing County. The lake covers approximately 1,116 acres and stretches between the two towns, with Crosby located along the west shore and Deerwood along the east shore. The lake features about 8.9 miles of shoreline and includes two public boat accesses—one located in Crosby City Park and another just north of Deerwood.
Serpent Lake reaches a maximum depth of 65 feet, with roughly 32% of the lake shallower than 15 feet. Water clarity is excellent, often measuring around 19 feet or more, allowing aquatic vegetation to thrive. Surveys have identified more than 30 species of aquatic plants, which provide essential spawning areas, cover, and habitat for fish and other aquatic life.
Because of its structure, vegetation, and consistent stocking program, Serpent Lake supports a well-rounded fishery featuring walleye, northern pike, bass, crappie, and bluegill. The lake receives annual walleye fingerling stockings, helping maintain a strong walleye population.
Serpent Lake Survery Information
Walleye
Serpent Lake receives annual stockings of approximately 338 pounds of walleye fingerlings.
Survey results showed:
Catch rate: 6.8 walleyes per gill net (above average)
Average length: 16.5 inches
Largest sampled fish: 31 inches
These results indicate a strong and productive walleye fishery.
Northern Pike
Catch rate: 6.1 per gill net
Average length: 19.8 inches
11% within the 22–26 inch protected slot
10% over 26 inches
Serpent Lake follows the North Central Zone northern pike regulations:
Possession limit of 10 pike
No more than 2 fish over 26 inches
All fish from 22–26 inches must be released
Largemouth Bass
Catch rate: 3.0 per gill net
Average length: 10.2 inches
Smallmouth Bass
Catch rate: 0.8 per gill net
Average length: 12.6 inches
Smallmouth bass are present in moderate numbers and offer anglers additional opportunities.
Black Crappie
Catch rate: 0.6 per gill net
Catch rate: 0.5 per trap net
Average length: 9.9 inches (gill nets)
Average length: 8.4 inches (trap nets)
Fish up to 12.5 inches
Across both sampling methods, 85% of fish were 8 inches or larger, suggesting solid crappie fishing potential.
Bluegill
Catch rate: 10.1 per trap net
Average size: 4.9 inches
Only 2% measured 7 inches or larger
Bluegills are present but tend to run smaller in size.
Serpent Lake Fishing Tips
Spring Fishing
(Water Temps: 38–55°F)
Spring fishing begins shortly after ice-out as fish move shallow to feed in warming water.
Best Spring Areas
Wind-blown shorelines
Shallow bays and flats
Emerging vegetation beds
Points near shallow water
Spring Techniques
Jigging with minnows along shallow breaks
Slip bobber fishing along vegetation edges
Casting shallow crankbaits along rocky shorelines
Recommended Lures
1/8–1/4 oz jigs tipped with fathead minnows
Shallow crankbaits
Slip bobbers with leeches
Walleyes are often most active during early morning and evening hours during spring.
Trophy Northern Pike
on Serpent Lake
Summer Fishing
(Water Temps: 60–75°F)
As water temperatures rise, fish move toward deeper structure and weed edges.
Best Summer Areas
Weed edges in 10–18 feet
Deep points and rock structure
Mid-lake humps
Basin edges holding baitfish
Summer Techniques
Live bait rigging along deeper breaklines
Slow trolling spinner rigs
Casting soft plastics for bass along vegetation edges
Recommended Lures
Lindy rigs with crawlers or leeches
Spinner harnesses
Texas-rigged plastics
Ned rigs or drop-shot rigs
Crappies often suspend over deeper water during summer and can be found using electronics.
Trophy Largemouth Bass
on Serpent lake
Fall Fishing
(Water Temps: 40–60°F)
Fall can be one of the best times to target larger fish as predator species feed heavily before winter.
Best Fall Areas
Rock points and shoreline structure
Basin edges near baitfish
Remaining weed beds
Fall Techniques
Jigging large minnows along breaklines
Casting crankbaits along rocky structure
Vertical jigging deeper water
Recommended Lures
Jig and minnow combinations
Blade baits
Deep diving crankbaits
Suspending jerkbaits
Large walleyes and northern pike are often caught during the fall season.
Client with
Big Walleye
Winter Fishing (Ice Fishing)
Serpent Lake offers winter fishing opportunities for walleyes, pike, and panfish.
Best Winter Areas
Basin edges in deeper water
Suspended crappies over deeper basins
Weedlines in 10–15 feet
Winter Techniques
Jigging spoons tipped with minnow heads
Deadstick rods with live minnows
Tip-ups set for northern pike
Recommended Ice Lures
Jigging spoons
Jigging raps
Tungsten jigs with waxworms
Tip-ups with sucker minnows
Big Northern Pike
Trophy Serpent Lake Area Fish
We cover a large area in Central Minnesota, if you have any questions about a certain lake or a certain species of fish don’t hesitate to call. We are very accommodating and can come up with a plan to make any sort of trip work. If you need multiple boats we are also able to get more guides to handle larger group trips! Our goal is to make your fishing trip easy, comfortable, and full of fish catching excitement!