Which lake is better for walleye fishing, Insula or Crooked? Numbers and size potential. Thinking second half of June.

I have never fished Insula... Was going to last year but ruptured my Achilles two days before!

I have been to Crooked and many many other BWCA lakes. Crooked would be hard to beat. Walleye are easy to find that time of year and there are some BIG fish there. My wife and I caught many 25+ in walleyes on our trip. I will never forget catching a 27", 28" and 29" all within an hour.

Good luck!

I was going to say Insula until I read the post above. :)

T

Flip a coin! They're both worth the paddle. Big fish in both bodies of water. Some might disagree, but in my opinion, Insula has better numbers.

I would be a +1 for Insula but to be honest it has been a few years since I fished either. They are both good though.

If you look at lake fishery surveys:

Insula - 29
Crooked - 101

You make your own decision.

Wallyworld: "If you look at lake fishery surveys:

Insula - 29
Crooked - 101

You make your own decision."

Wallyworld, what do the numbers mean? (btw, register on the board and join us!)

Jackfish: "

Wallyworld: "If you look at lake fishery surveys:

Insula - 29
Crooked - 101

You make your own decision."

Wallyworld, what do the numbers mean? (btw, register on the board and join us!)"

I’m assuming he means the DNR gill net survey numbers for Insula 29 Walleye and 101 for Crooked.

I haven't fished either lake, but I'd caution against placing too much emphasis on the DNR's surveys. There are so many variables that can sway the results of a netting operation. Not to mention Insula hasn't been surveyed in 18 years, Crooked hasn't in 12.

Imagine you have a window that's totally frosted over. The DNR survey is like taking your fingernail and scratching a fingertip sized hole and looking through it to see out the window. If you start reading back over years and years of surveys, that hole starts to grow a bit, but still just a small piece of the puzzle in my opinion. (especially for lakes like this with only 2 or 3 total historical surveys)

S.V. hit the nail on the head. Fisherman should go to Minnesota Lake Finder and see the fish surveys. They are great to see what kind of fish the lake has and the numbers.

thegildedgopher: "I haven't fished either lake, but I'd caution against placing too much emphasis on the DNR's surveys. There are so many variables that can sway the results of a netting operation. Not to mention Insula hasn't been surveyed in 18 years, Crooked hasn't in 12.


Imagine you have a window that's totally frosted over. The DNR survey is like taking your fingernail and scratching a fingertip sized hole and looking through it to see out the window. If you start reading back over years and years of surveys, that hole starts to grow a bit, but still just a small piece of the puzzle in my opinion. (especially for lakes like this with only 2 or 3 total historical surveys)"

+1 and times 2! Crooked Lake is a rather stunning variety of habitats, and each of the named bays is like a lake unto itself. I can't imagine extrapolating 'populations' based on the placement of nets in a tiny sampling of this habitat.

Numbers... I'd say Insula - but not by much.
Size - Crooked.

Last half of June? Crooked, hands down.
First half- it would be a toss up.
May would be Insula.

Crooked by far. Fish the islands and narrows with moving water. You will find the walleyes.

I'd also vote for Crooked. Incredible walleye lake, especially if you get away from all those crowds near the falls (though that current does hold a fish or ten million).