Near East Bearskin...

From what I read, this is a good "eater" walleye lake. Could someone comment on the campsites? Also, are day trips heading down towards the vegetable lakes worth it in terms of scenery and/or fishing?
Thanks!

I was in there a few years ago and the eater sized walleyes are abundant. We fished pretty hard and picked up a few nicer sized ones too but threw them back. We did about 1/2 day exploring the vegetable lakes. Very nice little lakes. Very seldom used but easy to find portages. Mostly kept open by moose activity. Lots of moose sign along with wolf tracks. Campsites are nothing to write home about. The one closest to the portage is ok. You will see other canoes since many peolpe from East Bearskin come to fish for the day. The one further down, through the narrows is a little nicer and a lot more secluded but still not spectacular. We stayed in that one and found it adequate. Decent night fishing with a slip bobber and leech from there. Caught decent sized perch and eater walleyes from camp. Water clogs your water filter fast in Croc. All in all, it's a fun lake to fish and easy to figure out with some cool scenery and lakes that are off the beaten path but very close to an EP.

Yes it is a good Walleye lake. I have had better luck for fishing on the east end of the lake. The two campsites on the far east end of the lake offer much solitude . They are marginal campsites not bad , but not great. I have not fished any of the veggie lakes, but heard a couple of them are pretty descent fishing. Crocodile is a pretty easy lake to fish. There are walleyes scattered across the entire lake.

Portage from E. Bearskin is steep. Also mosquito infested in early June.

Agree with pretty much everything said - lots of littler walleyes, sites on the east end are better. We paddled straight through the veggie lakes. Also found the portages both ways to have an abnormal amount of mosquito's.

We are also thinking of an easy trip into Crocodile in late May for the normal reasons of relaxation and photography but also to sample the reported excellent walleye fishing. Sounds like the campsites are marginal and the portage is a bit of a pain, correct? If we go in mid-day on a Thursday in late May do you think having our choice of at least 1 of the better campsites will be a problem? Sounds like lots of day trippers for fishing. Estimating an hour and a half or a little more from Bearskin entry to the lake, does that sound about right?

Finally, anyone willing to give advice on methods to fish for the numerous eyes in hopes of getting a couple dinners and maybe a couple larger ones?

Sharing the lake with a few adventurous walleye fishermen during the day is not a problem, but can we expect some solitude at night or maybe not?

How far can you navigate to the East down the Crocodile River to explore...maybe a dawn photography excursion?

Thanks for any comments.

My tripping partner and I have had fishing success on Crocodile trolling bottom bouncers and spinners (single hook spinners with leeches). We mostly caught 12" to 18" eyes. One trip I boated a 28" that we returned to the water.

Fishing leeches under slip bobber from the far eastern campsite, we caught quite a few good size perch as well. They were very aggressive with a couple hitting crank baits. Good eats! Enjoy your trip!

Your estimate on reaching Croc sounds pretty close. I am sure there will be day trippers in there that time of the year and probably a few campers. It is a pretty good haul to the east end campsites but I bet one or both of the campsites will be available when you go. Never ventured down the river past the campsites but I hear it is pretty nice as far as scenery goes.

One of the two east side sites is pretty overgrown. I would not recommend staying there. It doesn't look like anyone has been there for a while. The farthest east site is fine. I wouldn't think it is going to be a problem finding a spot to camp. We were there in early June and all sites were open on Thursday when we got there. By Sunday, the one by the portage was taken but we didn't even see anyone come down our way looking so I think most of the canoes are there to fish and leave. It was very quiet from about sunset on. Definitely worth hitting some of the veggie lakes for photos if you ar einto it. There's a really nice rock outcropping at the far east end of Croc. It is really more like a river down there. The small lakes with glass water at dawn would probably give you a bunch of great shots. Bring the bug spray!

I'm also wondering if there are any camping opportunities (outside of the BWCA) in the immediate vicinity (or even on) the vegetable lakes?

Here's Another thread about the Crocodile river area.

quote TuscaroraBorealis: "I'm also wondering if there are any camping opportunities (outside of the BWCA) in the immediate vicinity (or even on) the vegetable lakes?"

I don’t think there are any sites that have been created by the Forest Service (latrines and fire grate) unless it has been done recently, but I have camped in the Veggie Lakes area. There are a few places where you can pull off FR313 and walk in on logging trails to make camp. Leave NO trace applies. You may have to think twice of building your own fire ring too. (Dispersed remote camping rules) Logging still goes on in the area so I just picked out a place where logging had occurred. I never walked in to any of the lakes themselves though.

Going into Croc late the week before Memorial Day...what is the bug buffet likely to feature at that time, mosquitoes, black flies, ticks or all of the above? I have never tripped that early in the year, although the June trips I have been on were the worst bugs ever.

Also, I am a die hard jig fisherman. I would think they would also produce for walleyes and perch, anyone tried them? Tipped with live bait or twisty tails? Any northern in the lake?

Jigs tipped with a leech under a slip bobber is how I fish Croc. Also drifting with a jig and leech is pretty good if the wind is right.

Jig and leech is the ticket that time of year. Easy to fish, bait is easy to keep alive. No northerns in Croc which is really cool when you are jig fishing for walleyes. Just make sure that you feed the walleyes some line when you feel the "tap, tap, tap". Otherwise you will end up feeding them leeches all day. Once I feel the tap, I ususally count to 5 and give them slack to make sure they get it in their mouths before setting the hook. I would probably start at the far east end of the lake since it will still be cold and that is the shallower end...

How does one get to entry point 66 on the east end.

quote riverrunner: "How does one get to entry point 66 on the east end."

You have to enter the veggie chain. South Bean to Parsnip, then into Crocodile River. I am going in this way in September.Not a easy entry from what I have been told.