Perch are the primary panfish in the area lakes up here. If you are using live baits such as worms and smaller minnows, you will most likely catch some perch. There are some quality perch here too, but you’re going to have to sort through the smaller ones to find the quality fish that you’d like to keep for a fish fry.
Crane Lake
Crane Lake is mostly known for its walleye, sauger, smallmouth bass and northern pike fishing. Anglers do well here for walleye and sauger and for those who target northern pike, you can catch some big fish if you put in the time. Some quality crappie and perch are available. Smallmouth bass are here in good numbers too.
Crane Lake Minnesota DNR Report
Sand Point Lake
Sand Point Lake is located on the border between Minnesota and the Province of Ontario and is part of the Namakan Reservoir, which also consists of Crane Lake, Kabetogama Lake, Little Vermilion Lake and Sand Point Lake. There is no road access to several of the lakes. Thus, anglers gain access by traveling by boat from road access points located on Crane or Kabetogama lakes.
Walleye are abundant in Sand Point Lake with a lot of nice eater-sized fish available. You can also find some very big northern pike in this lake with fish over 40 inches a possibility on this lake. Smallmouth bass, sauger, crappie, rock bass and perch are also available.
Namakan Lake
Namakan Lake is located on the border between Minnesota and the Province of Ontario and is part of the Namakan Reservoir, which also consists of Crane Lake, Kabetogama Lake, Little Vermilion Lake and Sand Point Lake. There is no road access to several of the lakes. Thus, anglers gain access by traveling by boat from road access points located on Crane or Kabetogama lakes.
The fishing is very good on Namakan Lake for a variety of fish. Walleye are abundant in the lake with a lot of good eater-sized fish. Northern pike are here as well and there are some very nice fish in Namakan Lake. Pike over 40 inches are possible on this lake. Some of the other fish include smallmouth bass, sauger, crappie, rock bass and perch.
Learn More About Perch
Our perch fishing section has tons of information on the best live baits, lures, where to catch them and how to catch them. Visit our perch page to learn more.
