Crooked on opener

[Bronze Backs]

I've scoured the previous posts and, although I've seen various Crooked posts, I haven't seen any from early-mid May. We're hitting Crooked for opener this year. It's gonna be cold! Looking at maps, seems like finding current will be the key for the eyes. Being this early and this cold, I gotta think we have an excellent shot at a huge pike and some good lakers. Never been to Crooked, although my buddy has, so he knows the route. Looking for general stratgies from people who've spent time there in early-mid May. Some dudes in my group are convinced we need minnows for the eyes, but c'mon - wouldn't a plastic be just as good? Pike on slow-rolling spinners/spinnerbaits? Lakers on deeper-running cranks? And being able to cast for pre-spawn smallies might be the highlight of it all!

Considering I'm time-constrained, am I better off keeping my rod in its zipper until we get to Crooked? That'd be tough to do considering it's a full day getting in!

Info can also be emailed to me @ [email protected]

This will be the ideal warmup for Quetico!

[Jackpine Rob]

No lakers in Crooked that I know of. If you hit the Quetico, many of the lakes just North of Crooked have them.
Never caught many smallmouths this early. I assume they are pre-spawn, and concentrated where the walleyes aren't.
Minnows never hurt. Plastics will work, but its tough to beat a nice wiggling minnow.

[scifisher]

Current. Anywhere there is current. Especially where current is flowing into the lake. Try Sunday Bay.

[TheGuy]

That early you should give Basswood Falls a try. I've heard of a fish or two in that area in May.

------------------
Get the Net!!

[scifisher]

You gotta come at the falls from the other way though. If Crooked is your destination, its a bit of a hike to basswood falls. Worth it though, you'll kill em there.

[Jackpine Rob]

Forgot to ask what part of the lake you plan on hitting. I would imagine there will be few folks out working the currents.

[Bronze Backs]

Thanks. No lakers? I had heard that but wanted to verify. The DNR survey does not list smallies either as being present, but it was taken in July when they were probably too deep. We're heading in through Basswood falls so I'll definitely give that area a shot. Thanks!

[Bronze Backs]

Just back from the BW, unfortunately. Glad the forecasts were way off as we had sun and little wind the entire time. Fished mainly Crooked, Wednesday-Friday bays. Fishing was pretty slow but did get enough eyes to eat. And the ones we did get were in the 2 lb category. Afternoon/evening seemed to be the best time. Highlight was a skinny 27" (that we put back). Otherwise, no pike worth mentioning and only one smalljaw. Water needs a little warmth!

[TheGuy]

Did water seem up?

------------------
Get the Net!!

[Bronze Backs]

Depends on what standards. Speaking about the last few years, I'd say the water is at normal to above normal levels. You can always see where the waterline used to be 5, 10, 15 years ago and based on that, the levels are down.

[scifisher]

Postspawn? Were you fishing by current?