A Year on Lower Hay Lake
Lower Hay joined the Whitefish Chain by a channel, and every season here is shaped by what makes it different: deep, clear water and a firm, sandy shore.
The lake that was added to the chain
Lower Hay Lake covers 700 acres and reaches 100 feet deep, with 4.44 miles of shoreline and the clearest water on the Whitefish Chain. According to the DNR, it was not originally connected to the other lakes. Today a navigable channel on its east side links it to Whitefish Lake, and Hay Creek flows in from Upper Hay Lake.
That small piece of history explains a lot. Lower Hay sits at the southwest end of the chain, a little apart, close to Pequot Lakes. It shares the chain's waters and still keeps something of its own character.
Picturing your own year here? Start with the buyer page. If you already own on Lower Hay, ask for a private valuation.
Spring: ice-out and first light on the water
Ice-out comes on its own schedule each year. Deep lakes like Lower Hay hold a large volume of cold water and can open a little later than the shallow lakes nearby. The DNR posts recorded ice-out dates for many lakes on its ice-out map.
Once the ice is gone, the clarity is striking. Before the summer plants fill in, the sand and gravel shoals show plainly from the dock. Docks and lifts go back in, the loons return, and the first boat ride of the year through the channel feels like opening the house after winter.
Summer: loons, swimming and clear water
Summer is when Lower Hay is most itself. The firm, hard sand and gravel shoals make for good swimming, and the clear water makes every swim a look around. Underwater, the plant beds of coontail, naiads, northern watermilfoil, pondweeds and muskgrass fill in along the edges. The lake has no bulrush or lily beds to speak of, so the shoreline stays open.
The loons are a big part of summer here. In the DNR's 2012 survey of the whole chain, common loons were seen at more than 40 percent of survey stations on Lower Hay, the highest share of any lake on the chain.
For a longer day, run the channel to Whitefish Lake and explore the chain. Channels are slow-no-wake and can be narrow and shallow, and the sandbars near Lower Hay's channel deserve respect late in the season.
Fall: color and quiet
After Labor Day the boat traffic falls away and the hardwoods along the shore start to turn. The Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway, a 54-mile loop between Pequot Lakes and Crosslake through pine, birch and aspen, makes a good fall drive. Mornings are cool and still, and the clear water picks up the color of the shoreline.
Docks come out before the first hard freeze. Many owners keep their boat in a little longer for one last calm afternoon on the water.
Winter: ice season
Lower Hay is deep for its size, so give the ice time and check it yourself before you go out. Once it is safe, the lake turns into a wide, quiet field of snow. Ice anglers set up near the weed edges and the first breaks, and the shore is still enough to hear the ice settle at night.
Winter is also a good time to see the lake country without the crowds: snowy trails, quiet roads and a short drive into Pequot Lakes for supplies.
Nearby things to do
- Ride or walk the Paul Bunyan State Trail, with 70 miles of paved trail through the area.
- Drive the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway between Pequot Lakes and Crosslake.
- Visit the shops, galleries and seasonal farmers markets in Pequot Lakes, Pine River and Crosslake.
- Boat the chain, from the open water of Upper Whitefish to the bays of Cross Lake, or visit the cold, deep water of Big Trout Lake at the chain's north end.
Questions
Was Lower Hay Lake always part of the Whitefish Chain?
No. The DNR notes that Lower Hay was not originally connected to the other lakes. A navigable channel on its east side now links it to Whitefish Lake.
Are there loons on Lower Hay Lake?
Yes. In the DNR's 2012 survey of the chain, loons were seen at more than 40 percent of survey stations on Lower Hay, the highest share of any lake on the chain.
What is near Lower Hay Lake?
Pequot Lakes is about four miles away, with the Paul Bunyan State Trail and Scenic Byway nearby, and Crosslake and Pine River a short drive farther.
Keep reading: the Lower Hay fishing guide, living on Lower Hay Lake, the Lower Hay Lake guide, and a year on Big Trout Lake. See all lake guides.
My family has a cabin on the Whitefish Chain in Crosslake, and I know how each season changes a lake home. Call or text 218.513.2677 or email david@whitefishpropertyfinder.com.
Sources: MN DNR, Lower Hay Lake aquatic vegetation report (2011); MN DNR, Sensitive Lakeshore Survey, Whitefish Chain (2012); Explore Minnesota, Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway.