Nokay Lake

Crow Wing County, Minnesota - DNR stocking history, depth and survey data

Minnesota · Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) · DOW 18010400

DNR records show 7 stocking entries at Nokay Lake since 2017, most recently walleye fry in 2025 (220,000 fish).

• Nokay Lake has 7 DNR stocking records across 6 years (2017-2025): walleye (7).
• The most-stocked species by count is walleye: 449,700 fish on record.
• Maximum depth 42 ft; surface area 704 acres, 218 littoral acres, 6.3 miles of shoreline, per the DNR lake survey.
• Average water clarity (Secchi depth) 13.0 ft.
• Fish species DNR lists here: black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill, bowfin (dogfish), brown bullhead, green sunfish, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, tullibee (cisco), and 4 more.
• 1 public access on the DNR list.
• Most recent DNR fish survey: June 29, 2020 (targeted survey).
• Crow Wing County, nearest town Brainerd; DNR lake number (DOW) 18010400.

Depth map

Bathymetric contours from the Minnesota DNR lake survey mapped 7/9/1964 (orig map); depths in feet. Simplified for the web; not for navigation.

Stocking history

² fish purchased by the DNR for stocking.

Public accesses

DNR fish survey, 2020

Catch per net (CPUE) is the DNR survey's count per gill net or trap net set; higher means more of that species were sampled, not a fishing forecast. Top species per gear shown; where we have no verified common name for a DNR code, the code itself is shown.

Nokay Lake is a 660 acre lake located 10 miles east of Brainerd in Crow Wing County. A small public access is located on the west side of the lake. Nokay reaches depths of 42 feet, with 33% of the lake 15' deep or less. The shoreline is moderately developed with one resort present. Extensive bulrush beds are located around the lake and around Hiawatha Island. Protection of aquatic vegetation, especially emergent vegetation, is important for maintaining good water quality. Aquatic vegetation is critical for fish spawning areas as well as providing habitat for fish and other aquatic life. Walleye numbers in 2020 were below average when compared to similar lakes, at 1.2/gill net. The Walleyes sampled had an average length of 18.8". Natural reproduction is minimal with the majority of Walleyes coming from fingerling stocking occurring every third year. Northern Pike numbers were high at 9.5/gill net. Average length was 20.8", with 26% in the protected 22"-26" slot. Northern Pike at least 26" in length made up 5% of the catch. Lakes in this part of the state have a new Northern Pike regulation enacted in 2018: possession limit of 10 with not more than 2 over 26". All from 22"-26" must be immediately released. Please refer to the current Minnesota Fishing Regulations for additional information. Black Crappies were captured in average numbers at 1.3/gill net. Average length was 7.7" with 38% being over 8" in length. Largemouth Bass were sampled in high numbers at 3.0/gill net. Largemouth Bass averaged 13.4", with 23% measuring 15" or greater. No invasive species have been discovered in Nokay Lake, but they are located in the area. Before and after launching, lake users are required to inspect and remove any aquatic plants and animals from their watercraft and trailers as well as remove the plug and drain all water from the watercraft, including bilges, livewells and baitwells.

Minnesota DNR survey narrative, June 29, 2020.

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