canadian smallies

[ssaamm]

Heading up to crow lake by nestor falls, ontario. I hear there are muskies, lakers, and my favorite, the smallie. Has anyone had any luck or tips on what to use for the bass. I was going to start shallow using tubes, other plastics and some surface lures. I have never fished Canadian waters before. Thanks for the help.

[Ray Esboldt]

I don't know much about Crow, but when I hear Ontario I think of large lakes, lots of rocks, lots of deep water, and lots of islands. If I'm looking for fish on lakes like this I like the fast moving baits. Lipless cranks, medium diving cranks (Wiggle Warts, old style Fat Raps), and spinner baits would be my first choices. Topwaters might be OK as well. I would save the plastics until you locate fish or figure out what they're using for structure.

We're still pretty early in the year, so I would look to the smaller bays, points and islands out of those bays, and any vegetation in and around the bays. I'm talking about bays that are at least sandy, a little rock would be good, but they're bays that are almost like boat harbors. Not the ones that are the size of small lakes.

I know we have some dudes that fish this area regularly (don't we?). Stand up and lend a hand, please.

[RowShow]

I'll be up in Quetico in a week starting around Pickeral working my way down to Olifaunt, Russell, Kawnipi and the "S" Chain. Coming back out on Moose.

I was looking for similar information. Any help would be appreciated!

[Wayne Ek]

For the past 15 years we have hit Sioux Narrows on Lake of the Woods, on the 2nd or 3rd week of June. This is a smallie trip. I have friends on Crow lake. I think Crow has a reputation for muskies more so than smallies. On LOW we hit back bays, stay away from the large rock formations, they don't seem to hold fish this time of the year, look for new weed growth,small rock, sand. The fish have been on beds about 70% of the times we are up there. A floating rap (orange) is all we toss. Remember to pinch the barb's down on the hooks... it will save you, if you have a hook in the hand moment, and is easier on the fish. Have fun...

[jerkin'm]

You didn't say the dates you were going...Have fished Crow a lot and the smallies for me have been unpredictable in the heat of summer. They will be on the beds about now though, if this is when your trip is. Have always gotten a few, but never the numbers or size everyone talks about. The Muskies are thick ones too. Lakers a little smaller than Whitefish Bay. Post the dates and can get u some more details....Where are you staying? Usually the resort owners are very helpful as to fish movements and locations.

[ssaamm]

Thanks for the replies guys. I'm heading up on Sat thru tues. I e-mailed the resort- Allen's crow lake lodge. They said the smallies are moving up on the beds and that they should be hitting. Your thoughts on lures would be appreciated. I'm strictly C&R. I think it's C&R through june anyway.thanks

[msm1018]

just got back from Northern Lights lake (Nolalu Ontario) and I just pitched out a bobber with a leech, easiest fishing ever and very productive, my biggest was 18" with multiple 17"ers in there too. will have pics soon.

[SCCO9803]

Just got back, yesterday, from Ontario. We were fishing north of Atikokan on Turtle and Crow Rock, ending up on White Otter on Wednesday. I nailed a 19.5 inch smallie on Sunday on Crow Rock and also caught several more out there. On Wednesday I got a 17.5 incher on White Otter. The smallies were really biting as we caught several of them in our group. Most all of the fish were caught over or on the edges of sunken rock piles and reefs. I also saw several of them crusing the rock piles while looking into the water from the boat. Good luck!

[RowShow]

SCC09803 - If you don't mind me asking...what did you guys use for bait/lures?

[rainybass]

I fished the Atikokan Bass Classic last year and 19 1/2 is a big smally for Dashwa Crow Rock and turtle. Sounds like you had fun. The are great lakes.

[SCCO9803]

Many of the smallies were caught while casting Rebel crayfish cranks. Ironically, the two largest smallies I caught that week were caught on a plain hook and crawler as I drifted over the sunken reefs. I'd troll up to the upwind side of the reef and then let the wind drift me back over, when I'd get to the down wind side the fish would hit in the 8-10' depth range.

[Crankbait_Guy]

Row,

I used to go to the Quetico every year. I haven't been up there for probably 4 years now, but it can be pretty amazing.

I found that husky jerks and spinnerbaits(inline or standard) would consistently catch you the larger fish. I don't know why I just found that to be true. So, what I would do is cast what I though was good shoreline. That usually consisted of a tapering bottom with small boulders and some larger ones mixed thru. Hopefully, there's some sort of veggie in there too, if you're lucky. Bang shorelines like that with jerks and spinnerbaits you'll do just fine, and if that doesn't work tubes(reds, pumpkins or oranges)will.

To get a break I'd find boulder humps, like the ones that pop out of nowhere in the lakes up there, and cast out a slip bobber with a leech, and relax.

I don't know if you've ever been up there, but I've caught them up to 22-23" up there, and it seems like all of them are over 15". Get your forearms ready...they will burn.

[RowShow]

Crankbait_Guy - Thanks for the info! Even though now I'm even more excited to get up there and the next 4 days will crawl.

I've never been north of Kawnipi, but have heard good things about fishing around Russell and the falls and then down on the "S" Chain (Silence, Sultry, Shade, etc.).

I'll have my husky jerks ready for action and will test out my new X-Raps as well. Beleive me, I'll never complain about burning forearms!!!