Fall Fishing Crane And Sand Point Lake

[imhatz]

Hello, heading up Oct 3, 2019 for a fall rip. We always have done a May or June Trip the last 10 yrs. What can we expect for the fishing in the fall. much appreciated, Mark

[Rick]

You can expect excellant walleye fishing with little competition. Don't be afraid to take a trip over to Elephant lake to chase some slab crappies as well. The feed bag should be on.

[imhatz]

Rick where is Elephant lake ? I have been going to Sand Point and Crane since 1983. We fish mainly in Sand Point ...Staeges, Grassy and Browns. We are tenting at Jensen site.

[Rick]

Elephant lake is about 20 miles west of Crane Lake. Maybe a wee bit south as well.

[Dusty]

For fall Crappies try little Vermillion off of Sand Point. look for water in the 20' to 25' range near structure. A school of Crappie will look like a xmas tree on your electronics. This is where Minnkota's spot lock earns its keep. I have boated from the Ash River Trail to little Vermillion several times in mid September with some success each time. That's around 60 miles by boat but an outstanding trip with the fall colors.

[Barbelboy]

Think deep mid lake spots. There are several spots that slide into deep water. Dynamite for walleyes, small mouth and even crappies mixed in. you'll be alone out there and i envy you. I might even suggest across from sandpoint lodge. (hint, hint)

[Barbelboy]

use heavy jigs. jig up, drop slowly feeling the jig as you drop. 90% of the time the fish will hit on the drop. i've outfished boat partners by quite a bit doing this. 

[imhatz]

We are camping on Sand point so we will remain on Sand Point, Crane, Staeges, Grassy, and Browns Bay....we search out pike and would love some slab crappies. Smallies and walleye all are set to swim another day. We have done Swanson Bay, Northwest bay in spring....and summer this is the first fall trip for us. New crew been going with me for 10 years...I started my first trip in 1983. We anticipated being alone going in October but wanted to experience the fall munch ....We have not hit on crappies for many years...a few here and there.  tight lines guys...any ideas where to hit. Will fish be deep or moving in shallow off first drop to feed before water gets real cold....mark

[Barbelboy]

that 3 acre island in the bay where the kingpin campsite is where our cabin was for 25 yrs before the park took it from us. it would be hard to tell you how many casts for pike I took in grassy bay. Pike shouldn't be a secret. cast weed beds. Don't forget small islands or rocks. they hold a surprising amount of pike. one thing we found was small main lake weed bed that rarely get touched produced well. small as in little pockets. you only might get a fish or two off of each, but it adds up. big fish secret....troll big deep diving crank baits off of main lake points or structure. troll across and from shallow to deep and deep to shallow. Not a high productivity method, but quality. good luck

[imhatz]

Hey we spoke before Barbelboy...I have fished that area for years even when the cabin was there. I started there in 1983..We stayed at Kingpin a few years back. This year in Jensen where we were last year. The area you speak of we call the Draw where the water flows between the island and shore.....crazy good in spring as you know. We hit all the spots you mentioned ...however, we run and gun and cover the water. we never trolled at all....may be worth a shot

[imhatz]

Here is the picture of the Island last year

[Barbelboy]

Man that part of the world is so beautiful. I've been wanting to take my kids up there on a camping trip, but at 5 and 6 it might be just a little too much. or not. I guess a guy never knows till he tries.

Edited August 15, 2019 by Barbelboy

[imhatz]

Well gents we are heading to Sand Point on Oct 3....Lori and Jeff at Handberg Marine said they will leave 2 boats in for us. It sure sounds like we will be able to pick our spots without traffic.

This is our first fall trip.....always in the past 30 yrs may June, July or August. It shall be interesting and maybe challenging fishing. We only keep Pike the bass and eyes go back to swim. Hoping for a trophy this year....

[imhatz]

I must say still swimming

 

[Bearfan1963]

On 8/15/2019 at 11:05 AM, Barbelboy said:

Man that part of the world is so beautiful. I've been wanting to take my kids up there on a camping trip, but at 5 and 6 it might be just a little too much. or not. I guess a guy never knows till he tries.

Barbelboy, We have taken our 4 year old grandson camping on Namakan the last 2 years.  He loves it, its never too early !!!

[tarpon6]

How much is gas at the marinas on Crane?

[imhatz]

Hey Rick, we are heading out of handbergs on Friday 10/4 and going through Crane to Sand Point to camp for a week....this is our first Oct trip. Not sure what to expect any pointers or water updates...my new crew has been doing this for 10 years. I started in 1983 but never in Oct always early may or June. your pointers appreciated. We fish pike and throw all bass and eyes back...nothing better than a shore lunch of pike filets, thanks mark

[Rick]

There are some guys in the know who will answer this better than I can...hopefully.

[Slopfishin]

On 9/29/2019 at 7:09 AM, imhatz said:

Hey Rick, we are heading out of handbergs on Friday 10/4 and going through Crane to Sand Point to camp for a week....this is our first Oct trip. Not sure what to expect any pointers or water updates...my new crew has been doing this for 10 years. I started in 1983 but never in Oct always early may or June. your pointers appreciated. We fish pike and throw all bass and eyes back...nothing better than a shore lunch of pike filets, thanks mark

 

I just got back from Crane, Sand Point and Namakan.  Water temp was averaging about 60 degrees but that temp will be dropping a bunch with the cold weather this week.  We were bass fishing but did catch a lot of pike by accident.  Most of the pike came close to grass on crankbaits.  Biggest pike I caught was 40 inches.  I'm a bass guy but my buddy said that is apparently a trophy fish and I didn't even realize it LOL.  Good luck to you guys.

[imhatz]

thanks for the advise great fish it is a trophy...we fish pike and catch bass by accident LOL...I will post our results. Water temp is key