Crane Lake

Crane Lake

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Size
3,032ac
Boat Launch
Yes
Carry-in Launch
No
Toilet
Yes
Boat Dock
Yes
Species in Crane Lake
Walleye
Walleye
Perch
Perch
Sauger
Sauger
Rock bass
Rock bass
Smallmouth bass
Smallmouth bass
Crappie
Crappie
Northern pike
Northern pike
Muskellunge
Muskellunge
Bluegill
Bluegill
Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
Lake trout
Lake trout
Sturgeon
Sturgeon

Overview

Crane Lake Map

Fishing Regulations

Special Fishing regulations: This lake has special fishing regulations that differ from statewide or border water regulations for those species identified below and take precedence. Regulations listed below are currently in place. Visit the fishing regulations page for links to upcoming regulations for specific lakes.

Location: Including Vermilion Gorge

  • Walleye and Sauger: Combined possession limit six, only four may be walleye. All walleye from 18-26” must be immediately released. One over 26” allowed in possession.

Features

Crane and Sand Point and Little Vermilion Lakes make up the southern portion the chain of lakes that stretch along the International Border between Minnesota and Canada. These lakes are the smallest lakes in the chain, but they are easy to access and a little more manageable then the larger lakes. Crane Lake sits entirely inside the boundaries of Minnesota, while the International Border travels through the middle of Little Vermilion and Sand Point Lakes Visitors to these three lakes not only get fantastic scenery and miles of undeveloped shoreline to look at, they also can find a world class fishery for walleyes, northern pike smallmouth bass and crappie. Secondary species such as sauger, perch, largemouth bass, bluegills and muskies are also available to anglers. Abundant structure can be found throughout the lake. Areas to focus on are rock reefs, weedy bays, points, islands, saddles and areas of current. Visitors can enjoy viewing shear rock cliffs, waterfalls, wildlife and even ancient Indian pictographs etched on rock walls along the Namakan Narrows. The lake is bordered by the Voyageurs National Park along the western side and Quetico Provincial Park along the eastern shoreline. The National Park Service offers campsites with amenities, boat tours and other services to the public. Camping on the lake requires a camping permit. Contact Voyageurs National Park Headquarters at (218)-283-6600 for any questions you might have. Anglers wanting to fish the Canadian waters of Sand Point Lake and Little Vermilion Lake will need to obtain a Remote Access Border Crossing permit, as well as, an Ontario Non-Resident Fishing License. These licenses and permits are obtainable at most ports of entry. Additionally, if you want to fish with live bait while in Canadian waters, you must purchase bait from the Canadian side of the border. Any questions can be directed to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) or by contacting local park offices or by contacting resorts around the lake.

Forage

Numerous varieties of minnow species can be found on all three lakes. Bluntnose minnow, spottail shiner, darters, golden shiner, mottled sculpin, sculpin, slimy sculpin, spottail shiner and trout-perch are a few of the common species. Ciscoes and juvenile perch also provide forage for larger walleyes and northern pike.

Seasonal Movements

Walleyes make seasonal movements during the spring and fall. Starting around mid-May, many walleyes will start migrating to river and creek inlets, shallow gravel shorelines and sandy points looking for suitable spawning conditions. Funnel areas which has a current flowing through them, such as Namakan Narrows and King Williams Narrows, can also attract spawning walleyes. During the summer walleyes will transition throughout the lake relating to a variety of structure. Early in the year shallow, warm water bays and inlets around the lake will also see spawning activity from many of the lakes fish species. These can be good areas to begin your search.
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Fish Species

Bluegill
fish
8-24 in
Length Range
13 in
Length Range
2021
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Low
2021
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
0.3333
0Statewide Range74.0278

Crane Lake Bluegill abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2016
Aug
2021
May
Crappie
fish
8-24 in
Length Range
13 in
Length Range
2021
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Below Avg.
2021
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
1.3333
0Statewide Range10.4166

Crane Lake Crappie abundance

Average range for similar lakes

View in the App
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2016
Aug
2021
May
View in the App
Lake trout
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No abundance data
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
No Survey Data
Largemouth bass
fish
14-19 in
Length Range
16 in
Length Range
2006
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2006
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
View in the App
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2002
Aug
2006
Aug
View in the App
Muskellunge
fish
8-24 in
Length Range
13 in
Length Range
2021
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2021
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
View in the App
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2002
Aug
2021
May
View in the App
Northern pike
fish
8-24 in
Length Range
13 in
Length Range
2021
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Below Avg.
2021
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
1.8333
0Statewide Range19.75

Crane Lake Northern pike abundance

Average range for similar lakes

View in the App
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2016
Aug
2021
May
View in the App
Perch
fish
8-24 in
Length Range
13 in
Length Range
2021
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
High
2021
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
13.1667
0Statewide Range43.5833

Crane Lake Perch abundance

Average range for similar lakes

View in the App
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2016
Aug
2021
May
View in the App
Rock bass
fish
8-24 in
Length Range
13 in
Length Range
2021
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Above Avg.
2021
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
1.5
0Statewide Range4.2223

Crane Lake Rock bass abundance

Average range for similar lakes

View in the App
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2016
Aug
2021
May
View in the App
Sauger
fish
8-24 in
Length Range
13 in
Length Range
2021
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
High
2021
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
3
0Statewide Range7.4793

Crane Lake Sauger abundance

Average range for similar lakes

View in the App
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2016
Aug
2021
May
View in the App
Smallmouth bass
fish
8-24 in
Length Range
13 in
Length Range
2021
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Below Avg.
2021
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
26.4871
0Statewide Range72.1895

Crane Lake Smallmouth bass abundance

Average range for similar lakes

View in the App
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2016
Aug
2021
May
View in the App
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized smallmouth-bass based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
202119
201619
View in the App
Sturgeon
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No abundance data
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
No Survey Data
Walleye
fish
8-24 in
Length Range
13 in
Length Range
2021
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Outlier
2021
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
17.6667
0Statewide Range16.9168

Crane Lake Walleye abundance

Average range for similar lakes

View in the App
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2016
Aug
2021
May
View in the App

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