3rd vs. 8th Crow Wing

[Mindbender]

We are traveling back to the Park Rapids are in June (been coming back since we were kids). We've been to several other lakes around, and are looking to try a new one. We're looking at 3rd or 8th Crow Wing. Looks like both have very nice resorts - fishing wise, is there difference between the two?

Also can one navigate from 8th to 9th with a pontoon, and likewise from 3rd to others?

Thanks

[Random guy]

Welcome to FM!

The last time I was on the chain I was able to get from 10th down through 9th to 8th with my 20' Stratos but is was tight.

I would take a look at third, it is a fun lake although the biggest walleye of my life came out of 8th.

[Mindbender]

Thanks for the advice - what a neat forum to share about a beautiful area of the country - we'll likley retire up North some day.

[Gonebassin]

Cannot comment on 8th, but you can fish 1st to 4th if you are staying on 3rd. Not been on 3rd in June, but go there in July and September. Very good crappie and bass, walleye, and northern. We catch some nice walleye, but not large numbers. We stay on 6th in early June and fish mainly bass and walleye and do well. I have seen large walleye come out of 3rd and 5th/6th. More numbers on 5th/6th of walleyes.

[krazykandk]

Any advice for fishing 8th in early June (primarily for walleye)? We will be in that area for vacation again.

[TCon17]

I have been fishing the 3rd for 20 years, i have a cabin there. The northern fishing is always good, many over 15 pounds. the walleyes have been good for the last 3 or 4 years, usually good numbers and size (2-10 lbs.). good crappie and bass too. I dont know about the 8th though. as far as getting to the fourth, second, and first; easy to get to the second and fourth, the fourth is hard to get to late in the season when the weeds get thick though. I havent been on the first in a long time.

[DOAducks]

My parents have a cabin on 3rd down from the river going to 4th. where are you located? they have had it since 1984. It is truly gods country up there.

[hawghunter001]

the humps in the middle of the lake produce well June fish 12-15ft small sucker minnows are best.

[krazykandk]

Are they pretty easy to find (the humps)?

[hawghunter001]

ya when you come of the access go through the narrows about in the center and head straight to the other end watch your locator youll find them theres two both in the line I told ya when uyou see the first go a little farther to the second.

[bret810]

My father lives on 8th, so I know the lake very well. The water level is kind of low, but yes you should be able to get from 8th to 9th to 10th with a pontoon. there is a sunken island not far from the resorts where people fish for walleyes. It's easy to find, just look for the boats! Also, quite a few smaller humps on the lake. 9th has a lot of structure. One hot spot is a point that extends from the north side of the lake to the south side of the lake. It will come up to 2' to 3' and drop of to 50' or so. You just have to find out what depth they are at. I am going up this week-end, so I will give you a report when I get back!

bc

[hector00]

I have been going up to third for around 20 years also. My dad and grandpa have been going up for around 45 to 50 years. I have caught probably 20 northers over 15 pounds while I have been up there. I was just wondering where you usually catch your big ones and what you have used in the past to catch them.

[TCon17]

just noticed you replied to my post from the spring. I am the first cabin to the east of the south point. My grandparents have been there since the mid sixties, and i've been fishin it since '86; as soon as i could hold a rod and reel 'em in.

[TCon17]

Most of my big Northerns come off the big island. spinners, buzzbaits, big inlines, sucker minnows. If northerns eat it, I pretty much got them on it. I did get my first one over 30" (38") on a crappie minnow and a light action rod out there 6 or 7 years ago. SO i guess ya never know.