Fishing crane lake/namakan lake

[MNdanimal57]

Anybody have advice on fishing Crane and Namakan Lake... going up there at the beginning of June. Went last year and fished with jigs and minnows, had some luck but had trouble finding good spots to fish.

Thanks a lot!

[PerchJerker]

I don't have much experience on those lakes, but at that time of year you're going to have scattered fish which are moving from their springtime shoreline areas to the first offshore structure. The fact that they're in transition and moving makes it hard to find any good concentrations of fish like you can find at other times of the year --- on the bright side, the fish are moving so there should be fish on lots of spots, and they should be willing biters at that time of year.

The typical places to look at that time of year are long points, points near deep water, and the first reefs or humps that are close to shore. There's probably a TON of those kinds of areas on those lakes, but keep in mind that the fish are moving and in transition, and hit lots of spots and don't spend much time in them if you're not getting fish. Jigs and minnows and jigs and plastics are great baits at this time of year.

[MNdanimal57]

Thanks! That really helps give an idea of how to go after them. I apreciate it!!

[BFJ]

Hey PerchJerker, A group of us fished Nam & Kabe early June for years. We had luck locating eyes on the shoreline breaks off Wolf Island and Nebraska Bay. We used to fish the area leading into Lost Lake and Lost Lake itself. Down on the Nam end just to the right side ( I think thats south) of Namikan Island there is a very large under water rock hump that if memory serves me tops off at 13' and drops to nearly 40'. Usually had good luck there bobbering leeches and shiners. Several times we would find the wild shiners spawning shallow next to the weeds and the shore. If the shiners are there the eyes are too! We would drift bobber rigs down these areas. Depending where you are staying...the area under the dam on Ash river can be very productive if the water is up & running! Good luck!

[Fish Head]

I'm headed up to CRANE for the opener. 1st time on Crane. Any particular advice?

[FisH_SLaYer24]

current areas....

current= warmer water, warmer water will attract bait fish, bait fish will then attract predator fish and predator fish= walleyes

[fatfinger]

dont overlook sand point.swansons bay is always good- id troll from the mouth all the way back around the island.there are some good points that drop off to 30 or so feet rite on the way in, too.of course it may get really weedy back in there early this year because of the nice weather.ive caught many an eye there in 6ish fow in june tho.or back in namakan narrows theres alot of depth changes & current or try around hammer bay.good luck!

[mrmanners]

everyone is quick to overlook Crane and Over the last four years I have had some of the best fishing the first weekend in June. I would recommend slow trolling live bait rigs in as shallow as 6'. The walleyes like to be either deep off structure or shallow in the weeds looking for bait. We have caught quite a few perch/crappies in amongst the Walleyes along with some Northerns and even a Muskie.

[CRAZYEYES]

This year is going to be a little different. As it stands right now everything is going to be 2-4 weeks ahead of normal as far as temps and where the fish are and even more than last year when the ice didnt go out until may and then it was a cold spring. By junse I would be mostly fishing rigs, long ones. I am usually using anywhere from 4 1/2 to almost 7 ft depending on the mood of the fish and trolling speed. Another thing is bring both leeches and minnows because it is kind of a transition time but first week of june is usually still minnows. As far as depth is always a toss up because the wind has a lot to do with it and you can get them in 6ft and then move and still get fish in 35. It should be a good year though and this is the first year that some fish over 28 are going to come out with some consistancy. Last year we boated LOTS of fish that were 25 to 27 inches.

[Fish Head]

I think the opener this year will be comparable to June 1st most years. I'm sure I'll have no probelm getting on the eyes.

Whats the best paper map of Crane? I have GPS in my boat with the latest lakemaster chip, but I might want a paper map too.

[srfishin15]

Fished namakan in early to mid june last 5 years, walleye during morning and evening= lindy rig, red hook, green bead, leech. Once you're back at camp use a lighted bobber off shore and a leech. Caught biggest walleyes ever up there doing that. Up to 25.5 inches. Smallmouth is different every year, one year its top waters, next its x raps, next its crankbaits, FEEL FREE TO EXPERIMENT!! Just my $.02

[BFJ]

Be very careful on Namikan.. Main channels are Bouyed for rocks...If you get off the main trail PAY ATTENTION...especially since water levels are low this Spring!!! Good Luck!!