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July 11, 2010
Walleyes have moved into the 25' depth range.
For the most part, they are being caught on jigs tipped with
minnows or leeches.
The big Suicks, Bucktails, or any huge crankbait
are working awesome for the big Pike.
In the early morning and late evenings, any top
water bait will gain you some fine bass action. During the day
use tube jigs in the orange/watermelon colors for
results.
July Sturgeon Saga
Notice the wet pants, the dock boy went in the water to land
this behemoth.
Charlie's 52 inch Sturgeon
Sturgeon release
July 6, 2010
Wow, did Crane Lake ever receive a whole bunch of rain over
the holiday weekend, some reported that up to 4 inches of rain
fell on Saturday night into Sunday morning. Needless to say the
lake level is rising fast! The water rose 14 inches in just two
days at Crane Lake.
The fish are loving it and finally they've gone into their
summer mode. Walleyes are being caught on the mid-lake reefs and
they're pretty much biting on everything. Leeches, worms and
even artificial bait are bringing in Walleyes.
June 21, 2010
The weather at Crane Lake has been rather
"unsettled" as of late. Frequent weather systems
moving through the area have kept the fish scattered. As soon as
we get a string of good fair weather, the fish should figure
where they want to be.
In the meantime, fishermen have been catching Walleyes in
deep water. Over 30 feet most of the time. But then there are
reports of fish being caught in the shallows and by the emerging
weedlines.
Small-mouth Bass are being taken along the shorelines by
casting crankbaits into the shallows.
Moving frequently and checking known hotspots, like Pat Smith
Island reef, seems to work best.
June 16, 2010
Barbara and Alain Wood-Prince
fished out of Crane Lake on Mon June 14th. They landed and
released 21 Small-mouth Bass on Fly Rods. The fish ranged from
12 inches to a whopper of 5 lbs. (20 inches) caught by Barbara.
June 1, 2010
Walleye fishing has picked up again and the Walleyes are back
in the shallows. Fishermen are having luck in 5 to 12 feet of
water. Minnows remain the bait of choice.
The Crappie bite has slowed a bit as spawning nears
completion.
Small-mouth Bass are turning on - working the shoreline seems
to be working.
Fish are being taken around the edges of the emerging
weedbeds. Crankbaits worked close to the edge are getting
results.
May 26, 2010
As the Walleyes transition into their summer patterns,
Walleye fishing has slowed a bit. Just heard that the Walleyes
are being caught in the shallows again. The Crappie bite has
turned on big time this year. Fishermen are catching slab
Crappies in shallow water.
Big Pike are being reported with one measuring 42"
before being released. Spinner baits are working well for the
Pike.
Small-mouth Bass are hitting on soft plastics that are cast
towards shore. A 21.5 incher was reported this week.
May 17, 2010
This year the early Spring has made for a very different
Walleye fishing opener. Low water levels have been prevalent
since the ice went out, and less current is being produced by
the rivers. Walleyes are already in their early summer mode and
can be found anywhere from 4 to 20 feet of water. Transition
areas off points and islands are the best places to look for
fish. Generally speaking think of what fishing technique you
would use if you were fishing 2-3 weeks from now – the season
is about that advanced. The good news is that the fish were in a
biting mood and many opening weekend fishermen were very
successful and happy with their catches.
May 10, 2010
Are you ready for this weekend's fishing opener?
Stayed tuned for weekly fishing reports brought to you by the
local resorters in Crane Lake.
Last summer's reports are below.
August 3, 2009
Now that the weather has settled into a summer time pattern
the Walleye fishing is heating up! Good size Walleyes are
hitting leeches and minnows in 15 - 20 feet of water. Mid-lake
reefs are giving up slot-sized Walleyes.
Speed trolling large Rapala crank baits has started working
on Walleyes that are suspended at various levels in the water
column. The large Walleyes are seeking dissolved oxygen at lower
depths.
Northern Pike success has been sporadic, they are being found
in the same areas as the Walleye.
One party that just came out of Quetico Provincial Park
reported that they experienced the best fishing ever this past
week, where they have been going for 20 years. And that's in the
Quetico where you can only use barbless hooks and artificial
baits.
I also received a report of a 6 year old catching a 30"
Northern Pike - fantastic!
July 26, 2009
Leeches and minnows are working on Walleyes in 25-30 feet of
water off the rock reef structures. Pat Smith Island reef on
Namakan Lake has been giving up good numbers of slot-sized
Walleyes. On the shallower part of the reef, Small-mouth Bass
are hitting crank baits.
The Crappie bite has picked up. One family reports 30
Crappies caught on Crane Lake at the mouth of the Echo River.
Water temps have cooled down to the mid 60's after being up
in the 70's earlier in the season.
nice Walleye!
July 21 2009
30 lb.
sturgeon caught last week in the narrows.
July 14, 2009
Walleyes in the 14 to 24 inch range are being taken on the
edges of reefs in 32 feet of water. Numerous Walleyes over 17
inches are being released.
July 6, 2009
Finally, summer time weather has moved into
the area. The daytime temperatures are perfect in the upper
70's, nights are still cooling down to the 50's.
Reports are coming in of larger Walleyes in
deep water off sunken islands and reefs in Namakan and Sand
Point Lakes. It seems the Walleyes are moving to their summer
haunts. Numerous Walleyes are being caught up to 26 inches.
Small-mouth Bass are starting to school up on
shallow sunken reefs. The best times to try are at dawn and
dusk. Throwing crank baits over the shallow reefs are getting
results.
Descent size Northern Pike are being caught by
tossing large Musky lures over the reefs.
June 29, 2009
Spring weather is trying to hang on at Crane Lake. Clouds,
rain and wind have kept some folks off the water. The forecast
is for sunny skies by Thursday, just in time for the holiday
weekend.
Walleye are moving to their summer haunts. Look for them in
15 - 20 feet of water on sunken islands and reefs.
Small-mouth Bass are moving out of the shallows. Top water
lures are working at dawn and dusk. Medium running crank baits
are work well during the midday.
The Crappie bite is slacking off. Look for them to get hot
and heavy this fall.
June 22, 2009
Small-mouth Bass are up hitting topwater lures in the
shallows. 17-20" Smalleys are being caught on sunny
flat days. Skidder-pops, chugbugs and tiny torpedos are working
on Sand Point and Namakan Lakes. Or try plastic worms off the
rock shorelines.
There's good Walleye action in 15-18 feet on the reefs. A jig
and minnow, or a jig and nightcrawler, are bringing in
good slot size 14 - 16" fish. They're also being caught in
10' or less just in the weeds by using a lindy rig set up.
New boating law for 2009
Children under 12 years of age are now required to wear life
jackets when they are in a boat.
Crane Lake Fishing Report for
June 15, 2009
Lake Trout are snapping it up on the down jig! Try using a
white 1/2 ounce long shanked hook tipped with a frozen shiner in
57, not 58 feet of water, on Lac la Croix. This unique
presentation proved effective for ace guide Jerry Pohlman out of
Nelsons Resort recently.
Walleye action has been steady. In the early morning and late
afternoon try the shallows in 10 -14 feet of water with your
favorite crank bait. During the midday a slow presentation
using 1/4 ounce multi-colored jigs works well. This method in 24
- 28 feet of water near rocky breaks will produce Walleyes.
Surface temps are increasing, they've increased 2-3 degrees
per day for the last 3 days putting average water temps in the
mid to high 60 degree readings.
Small-mouth Bass fishing has turned on with the warmer water
temperatures. Many 20 inch Smalleys were reported last weekend.
Northern Pike fishermen are reporting many nice fish being
taken. Emerging weeds seem to be to key to success.
Crane Lake Fishing Report for
June 8, 2009
Walleyes are coming off the post spawn. Smaller walleyes
are out deep 25 - 30 feet in plentiful numbers, while larger
Walleyes are in the shallows 8-12' . Jig the weed
lines and windblown rock shore lines with a minnow.
Minnows are working well, it's still a little chilly for
leeches.
Fishermen are doing fantastic on Crappies in 14 - 22
feet of water. Browns Bay on Sandpoint Lake has turned on for
Crappies.
Small-mouth Bass fishing has been awesome. Cast and retrieve
off the shoreline in the wood. Small-mouth Bass are still
not up on the beds yet, a few males are hanging around the beds
but water temps are still too cool.
39" Northern Pike caught (and released) in Quetico Park.
Crane Lake Fishing Report for
June 1, 2009
Walleyes remain shallow and are biting well.
The Crappie fishing has picked up a little. (although it's
hard to compare it to last year, which turned out to be a banner
year for Crappies)
The phenomenon of increased action of Musky fishing continues
to amaze the locals. Muskys are being sited more
than ever before at Crane Lake.
Small-mouth Bass are still in the current and haven't spawned
yet.
More and more Muskys are being
caught (and released) at Crane Lake
like this 36 incher
Crane Lake Fishing Report May 25,
2009
Walleyes are still in the current, but they're
starting to move to points and islands near their spawning
areas. Cast a jig and minnow into windswept shorelines and
slowly work it back.
Crappies are close to spawning. A slip bobber
with a crappie minnow presentation in 2-3 feet near brush piles
along shore will get results.
Anglers are finding Northern Pike action in
the mudflats where weeds are emerging.
BIG Fish caught last weekend
Walleye:
28 inches
Northern
Pike:
36"
Crappie:
14"
Small-mouth
Bass:
20-1/4"
Large-mouth
Bass:
20-1/2" (yes! there are Large-mouth Bass in the area lakes)
Crane Lake Fishing Report, May 18, 2009
The weather on Saturday put a damper on the fishing due to
chilly winds and big waves, but by Sunday the temps were back up
in the sixties. Canadian opener was on the 16th so the possible
fishing spots have doubled in the area. You have until June 1st
to cross the international border without a passport.
Namakan River has turned on producing many Walleye. Sandpoint
Lake is doing well too. Fish are being caught in 12-15 feet of
water. The moving water of the rivers and the river mouths
continue to produce nice size fish. Jigs and minnows work the
best.
Crane Lake Fishing Report: May 11, 2009
The Walleye opener on May 9th was wildly successful. The high
water levels in the rivers brought warm water into Crane Lake,
which has been ice-free since April 24th.
Fishing success was mostly in the current of the moving water.
Big Walleyes were the order of the day, with many fish caught
measuring 20+ inches. The protected slot size of 17 to 28? has
paid off in the number and size of fish being caught and
released. A slow presentation using a jig with a Rainbow minnow
seems to be the winning combination.
Several schools of bass (up north here, you don’t have to wait
for bass fishing to open on May 23rd) had fishermen smiling ear
to ear with many ranging in the 17 - 20? mark. Larger pike, 34 -
40? were among the explosive action of the fishing opener. As
the water warms the fishing will only get better.
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