Crane Lake isn’t known as an awesome smallmouth bass fishery, but as you go farther in and explore some of the other lakes, the bass fishing can be quite good. Many people come here year after year for the smallmouth bass fishery. There are good numbers of them and some trophy fish are possible too.
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.
Best Baits for Smallmouth Bass
Smallmouth bass will eat a variety of different baits. Minnows, nightcrawlers and leeches are definitely the best live baits for smallmouth bass.
When it comes to artificial lures, you have lots of options. Soft plastic crayfish, twin tail grubs, worms and minnow baits are very effective. Hard baits such as crankbaits, jerkbaits and spinners also work great.
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Live Baits for Smallmouth Bass
Best Rigs for Smallmouth Bass
With so many different soft plastics to use, you have so many different rigs that work great for smallmouth bass. The drop shot rig, a simple jighead, standup jigheads and scrounger jigheads are some of the best rigs for smallmouth bass. To see our full list, take a look at our best rigs for smallmouth bass page.
Best Techniques for Smallmouth Bass
There are so many different techniques you can use for smallmouth bass since they can be found shallow, deep and anywhere in between. Anglers usually cast for them, but jigging, drop shotting and drifting are also some great techniques for smallmouth bass.
To learn more, take a look at our best techniques for smallmouth bass page.
Learn More About Smallmouth Bass
Our smallmouth bass fishing section has tons of tips on the best lures, live baits, where to catch them and how to catch them.
Visit our smallmouth bass fishing website to learn more.
