LOW Crappies

[JerknPerchSD]

Ive heard of some giant LOW crappies. Where does a guy begin to look for these? Do you have to go to Canada to find them? Thinking about seaching out some slabs and was curious if I was just hearing stories or does such a fishery exist?

Andy

[Gissert]

Yes! The fishery does exist! We go to the Nestor Falls area every March, and have had some world class crappie action.

The area around Hay Island in Sabaskong Bay is good, and there are some areas in Nestor Falls that have good action also.

We stay at Muskie Bay resort on Crow Lake, and they have a private access on Stevens Bay on LOW. We can fish lakers on Crow, or crappies on LOW. If you go to Muskie Bay's website, there is a picture on their slide show of some of the slabs we catch. Look for the picture of the crappies on a piece of plywood on a washing machine.

I have heard that some good crappie action can be had around Falcon Island and the Tug Channel north of Oak Island, but have never fished there.

[g man46]

Gissert,

I am going up on the 6th of January to Muskie Bay. How did you fish between the two lakes. Lakers in the morning, crappies at night? I am so excited it's ridiculous. I fished for lakers last year for the first time and it was a blast, but I think I am looking forward to the crappies more. There's nothing more fun than slab crappies, and I am sick of going to Red Lake to fight crowds for a slim chance of catching crappies. How are the crowds up there anyway?

I'll let you know how we did when I get back.

Thanks for any help,

Greg

[12lb8oz]

What the h$#l is a Laker?

[srj]

Gman, no crowds, period. There might be 3 or 4 houses in an area but that would generally be later in the winter. It's great fun up there because the fish are not in just a few areas--they are almost everywhere in the basin. The key is deep soft bottom and in the east end of Sabaskong there is a lot of that. Most of the east part drops off quickly--often within 60-100 feet of shore. Find soft bottom and 28 feet or deeper and you're in the money. The crappies that migrate from the west into east Sabaskong are there to eat! What a deal!! When you see a high fish on your locator, be sure to lift to it--we get a fair number of walleyes doing that. Tulibees too. It's a seriously fun place.

[Eastwind]

G-Man,

My friends and I are going up to Muskie Bay the night of the 7th. We'll be fishing the 8th, 9th and morning of the 10th. Great Lake Trout fishing in the morning on Crow and great Crappie fishing in the afternoon on LOW. We'll be the group with three Otter houses and one Clam behind sleds.

[Dano_the_jigasaurus]

Lakers are Lake Trout.

[Gissert]

g man 46 -

I usually get there in the afternoon on the first day and go out chasing lakers. It all depends on what I am in the mood for, really. Lakers- crappies - It is like being a kid in a candy store. Over the course of three or four days I will do both. LOW has some good walleye and perch spots near the crappie holes also.

I just go by what Paul and Chris say has been working when I get there.

I forgot to mention, the meal package at Muskie Bay is excellent! It is nice to just concentrate on fishing and not worry about cooking.

[g man46]

Thanks for all the advice! I don't know who all is going to bring houses up, but I'm sure we'll see you there. I am really looking forward to it. Last year we went to Lower Manitou and the laker fishing was a blast, but I wanted to go to a lake that had a few more species. Eastwind, you guys are bringing sleds, are four-wheelers an option or is it easier with the sleds. Also, do the bait stores up there have ciscos or smelt, or just live bait? Hope you guys have a nice Christmas and we'll see you there. We might get lost and find ourselves in the bar a night or two, so maybe we'll meet you there.

Greg

[Eastwind]

G-Man

Two years ago we got lucky and could drive our 4X4 trucks anywhere on Crow. Last year we were cocky and thought the same would happen. Wrong!! The mainlake's ice was only about 6" to 8" and we could only walk out to the first point on the main lake. This year we are bringing my friends son and friend who have sleds. We have the houses, good trade off, eh? The rest of the group is bringing sleds of their own. I have seen groups use ATV's in previous years. I suppose that ice thickness and snow depth is what ultimitaly determines how you can travel. Unlike Crow, the access to Steven's Bay on LOW is usually plowed right out to the Crappie spot so a 4X4 truck works fine for that.

[g man46]

Do any of you know if there are any maps for Crow, or does Paul have enough knowledge not to need one? It sounds like there is going to be plenty of ice for us to drive pickups on, but I think we will still bring sleds to be more mobile. Getting close now!!!