Heading up to Crooked the end of May first week of June. I am wondering if anyone has any good tips or spots for walleye. Through research I've found that alot of people fish the Big Current area. I am wondering if anyone else knows some productive spots for walleye. We've been to the BW twice now and have been skunked on walleye both times. We're making it a goal this year to get some walleyes for dinner. Thanks for any input.

We will be on Crooked at the same time this year. It is our 35 Anniversary of our first trip to the BWCA. Prime spots due vary from year to year. My advice is, once you find them, fish the area hard.

I’m also looking at a trip to Crooked in the next year or two. I’ve been researching it and now i’m trying to determine the most efficient entry point/ route to get to it. What route have you taken in the past? Thanks!

BWCAgoer: "I’m also looking at a trip to Crooked in the next year or two. I’ve been researching it and now i’m trying to determine the most efficient entry point/ route to get to it. What route have you taken in the past? Thanks!"

Depends on what part of Crooked you talking about. Sunday Bay area may be more efficient (not easy) with a Stuart River North entry or Nina Moose entry. Mudro entry will get you likely the fastest to Friday/Thursday Bay with a trip through 4-Town- Fairy Gun - Wagosh etc. Mudro entry through Sandpit / Horse/ Horse River to the Lower Basswood falls area probably more efficient for Wednesday Bay up to and slightly past table rock.

WhiteWolf: "

BWCAgoer: "I’m also looking at a trip to Crooked in the next year or two. I’ve been researching it and now i’m trying to determine the most efficient entry point/ route to get to it. What route have you taken in the past? Thanks!"

Depends on what part of Crooked you talking about. Sunday Bay area may be more efficient (not easy) with a Stuart River North entry or Nina Moose entry. Mudro entry will get you likely the fastest to Friday/Thursday Bay with a trip through 4-Town- Fairy Gun - Wagosh etc. Mudro entry through Sandpit / Horse/ Horse River to the Lower Basswood falls area probably more efficient for Wednesday Bay up to and slightly past table rock.


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Good summary. I've done all three. Add to the above info that the 4-town route to Friday Bay allows access to Saturday Bay. If Saturday Bay your destination, the Nina Moose/Mudro options are pretty much a toss-up. Bear in mind if you do Nina Moose you are travelling through a GREAT plan B lake, Iron Lake. You might decide not to even push on into Crooked!

Using Nina Moose or Mudro/Fourtown entry, and assuming single portaging, efficient packing, reasonable winds.... keeping at it with a 6 am departure always put us on campsite on Crooked at 2-4 pm (depending on how far you want to go once on Crooked) Horse River option is faster, with a Wed Bay destination, but water levels in Horse River somewhat of a wild card.

Make no mistake, the above is hard work for a day. But I'm by no means an animal and I've done this into my 60's.

Thanks guys! The obligatory question from a guy who has never been on Crooked...do you have any recommendations on specific bays that are better than others for fishing? We would be targeting walleye for dinner and smallmouth for fun. Appreciate any insight. Also, if you have specific campsites in respective bays that you recommend appreciate that advice as well. Thanks again!

I've fished far and wide for smallies and I don't think I'm exposing any secret info by saying this. The calm, shallow southern portions of Crooked's bays are the best place I have ever fished for surface smallmouth. Just about any reasonable type of popper will get them. Catch and release!!!

Outside emerging weed beds, points or wind blown shorelines. 5-15 fow unless there is a hard cold front then a little deeper.

if you want to catch walleyes on crooked you need to stay need current. above current is usually better than below.. sharp bends in the river can also be very good as well. fish edges on corners where the current in hitting the bank . bring a depth finder.... they are priceless....I have caught walleyes from Wednesday bay to Saturday bay. Minnows are hard to bring in but very effective. whatever you are fishing with keep within a couple feet of the bottom. 1/4 and 3/8 oz jig for the faster current.... 3 inch twister tail white, yellow or chartreuse tipped with a minnow through the lips .... not the prettiest set up but very effective. was shown by an older gentlemen up there that had been going up there most of his life. vertical jig or drag slowly on mud bottom

Thanks everyone. Leaving in less than a month and the excitement grows each day. Can't wait to feel that tug on the end of my line!