Has anyone ever fished Crotch Lake? If so, what has been your experience?? What time of year did you fish? What techniques were successful? How would you rate the quality of the fish??

Thank you.

Like the man that had a secret to tell, but no one to tell, I'll say this about Crotch Lake..."I'm glad you asked."

Beautiful scenery, picturesque shoreline, wonderful coves and pockets....NO FISH!!!! I've been going into Ontario and Quebec for 25+ years, travelling to new lakes every few years or so. Went up to Crotch Lake with 3 others in 1998, I can't recall the name of the camp, but I believe it's one of the only ones. The four of us are above average pike, walleye, and bass fisherman. The weeks total for 7 days of fishing 8+ hours per day: 2 walleye of 20" size, 3 huge perch, 2 pike < 24", 1 smallmouth bass of about 3 pounds. THAT'S IT !!!!! It was awful. It was one of those trips where you realize you've made a big mistake on about the third day.

We went up in early-June, the fishing should have been prime, but is was non-existent. The weather was good and stable, so that wasn't the problem. I think the lake is fished-out, as someone suggested in the next town over, Sharbot Lake. I've talked to others that have been to the lake and the typical answer is that the lake is very up and down. Well, we obviously hit a down year. And I watch the chat boards and have yet to see anyone say they've been successful on Crotch. A few alternatives for you that were MUCH, MUCH more productive than Crotch are Lake Nosbonsing near Callander, Lake Wabitongushi near Wawa (north of the Soo), and Lake Ogascanane 100 miles NE of North Bay in Quebec.

Now, aren't you glad you asked.

I agree with the gentleman who has had the fishless experience at Crotch lake. I went there in 1999 with my wife for a week of fine Canadian walleye fishing. No question, the lake is picturesque, with beautiful rocky shorelines. Only thing wrong is the lack of fish. I think the geographic location has been a factor. Let's face it, the lake is fished out! Not only that, one of the guides at the lake spent the entire week trying to make a move on my wife. I ended up being so bummed out by the whole experience that I spent the last two days in the cabin drinking beer. Never again!

I went to Crotch lake about 12 years ago and the fishing was just as bad then, 2 guys, 4 days(we left early) 2-12" smallmouths and we did better than any group we talked to at the lake that week.

This is an old thread, but it comes up on google searches... My first time on the Crotch was in 2007, November and I hit into 7 or 8 walleye in about 45 minutes ranging from 3-7.5 lbs. Since then, I have gone every year, but in the summer and have not had as much luck. Skunked as far as walleye the one year, and a couple last year. I think the hardest part about fishing the lake is the size, but once you've located the fish you can get them in bunches, going back again this year (2010) in August.

Was the couple of fish last year considered one the bunches????

In King's Lake, below the King's Falls, you catch perch, northern (pike), the odd walleye and bass. A lot of bass. You can catch pickel, too, but they are not common.

Crotch Lake doesn't yield many walleye, but it used to.

My husband has been going to Crotch Lake for 50 years.

I'm from the area and the lake, for lack of better wording..."is fished out"..mainly due to what I think is fairly heavy fishing pressure. The typical "spots" get visited regularly by lodge guests throughout the day/night.

It is a fantastic lake to camp and relax at however I wouldn't reccomend it to anyone considering the lake to make a "fishing holidy/trip" out of.

I camp at the lake 3-4 times a summer and if I catch some walleye it's a bonus only. The lake used to be full of panfish and pike (even some lake trout) before they started stocking it with walleye 20 yrs ago.

I seem to recall a story about Crotch Lake...seems a while back a group of 30 or so sailors and there, uh, dates, took a two week fishing trip to Crotch Lake (back then, it was called Chastity Lake). They really slayed the walleye...left nothing but a bunch of crabs.

I have been going to crotch lake all my life. my grandfather started going there in the 60s with my father. In the 80s my father bought a place on crotch lake which we still have to this day. last summer i was only able to spend 5 days there. but still only fished 2 full days and every evening. we had success. my wife is a novice and she did well lots of bass and a few walleye. all together we caught 6 or more small mouth over 3 lbs. i think we caught 4 or 5 walleye that are in the slot limit and probably 7 keepers (14-18 inch). truth be told we fish more for bass. probably caught 50 small mouth total. the thing is like state before the lodges do put pressure on the lake, but its really not that bad. see a lot of people go the the same "spots". maybe its bc i've been on that lake so long i know the little nuances of it. This summer i will be spending 2 weeks or more there so i will get all over the lake and i am looking forward to it. the other thing is i have found that i do A LOT better with live bait. i know that most people do too. I have seen and heard ppl before say things like these about the lake and i love it hopefully people will stop coming there on the advice of people that probably havent done their homework about really where to fish on that lake. i talk to lots of people at the lodges there and its all word of mouth about spots to go and thats fine, but as we like to joke when we see a group of boats in the same location "someone must have caught a fish there yesterday. get your topographical maps out and find the shoals the points that extend a ways out the drop offs the bays. also the water drops a lot during the season. it takes a lot to fish this lake well. so do ur homework b4 going.

Any updates?...I know a group of twelve going up later htis summer for some fast action.

Me and five buddies fished Crotch Lake in May of 2010.

We went to the lake looking for pike and were sorely disappointed. We caught six small ones in three full days of fishing. We couldn't find any weed beds and the bays had no weed growth.

We never targeted walleye, but accidentally caught two nice ones.

One nice older fellow we met was up there for two straight weeks fishing for walleye. He was getting about 4 to 6 per day.

HOWEVER, the smallie fishing was fantastic. The lake is full of perfect smallie habitat.

If you want an absolutely beautiful lake that is filled with smallies, this is your place.

I use to go to Morrow's cottages between Crotch lake and Kings lake with my grandfather before he passed away. Due to a family dispute the time he had reserved there every year was lost and there is now a very long waiting list to ever go back. If anyone here has time available at this place that they would no longer like to use I would very much be interested. This place has a lot of sentimental value to. Thanks

You want to go deep in the Crotch. Doesn't hurt to scratch the bottom while there. Don't set the hooks fiercely. You don't want to damage the structure of the Crotch. Cover the area thoroughly, and it doesn't hurt to use an attractant. Stink bait is not the way to go with the Crotch, and heaven forbid if their is a mayfly hatch in the Crotch.

I have been going to crotch lake all my life. my grandfather started going there in the 60s with my father. In the 80s my father bought a place on crotch lake which we still have to this day. last summer i was only able to spend 5 days there. but still only fished 2 full days and every evening. we had success. my wife is a novice and she did well lots of bass and a few walleye. all together we caught 6 or more small mouth over 3 lbs. i think we caught 4 or 5 walleye that are in the slot limit and probably 7 keepers (14-18 inch). truth be told we fish more for bass. probably caught 50 small mouth total. the thing is like state before the lodges do put pressure on the lake, but its really not that bad. see a lot of people go the the same "spots". maybe its bc i've been on that lake so long i know the little nuances of it. This summer i will be spending 2 weeks or more there so i will get all over the lake and i am looking forward to it. the other thing is i have found that i do A LOT better with live bait. i know that most people do too. I have seen and heard ppl before say things like these about the lake and i love it hopefully people will stop coming there on the advice of people that probably havent done their homework about really where to fish on that lake. i talk to lots of people at the lodges there and its all word of mouth about spots to go and thats fine, but as we like to joke when we see a group of boats in the same location "someone must have caught a fish there yesterday. get your topographical maps out and find the shoals the points that extend a ways out the drop offs the bays. also the water drops a lot during the season. it takes a lot to fish this lake well. so do ur homework b4 going.

I see you don't like when others come up and work over your Crotch. For me, it would depend on who and how sensitive they are to the Crotch.

In general, though, from people's comments, it seems you need to get deep into the Crotch to really get to know it (every nook and cranny, every time of day). If you work the Crotch intensely, you definitely might catch something...perhaps something you might regret.

MNR reports suggest that it's not uncommon to see beaver in the Crotch. Aint nothin' better than that.

Good post packpro :)

I use to go to Morrow's cottages between Crotch lake and Kings lake with my grandfather before he passed away. Due to a family dispute the time he had reserved there every year was lost and there is now a very long waiting list to ever go back. If anyone here has time available at this place that they would no longer like to use I would very much be interested. This place has a lot of sentimental value to. Thanks

Call Donna or Dennis Morrow at Carvin (near Peterborough). If you can't get their number, call Wm Sargent at Pleva and ask Delmar for it. Donna & Dennis are the proprietors today. People are cancelling because the rates have gone up to more realistic levels. And, of course, after 80 years, people are dying off and their heirs don't want the time or can't get up there at that time of year. My Hubby has been going there since 1960 every year for at least a few days. I've been there every year since 1979. We just back and had a great week. Balmy weather even in the first week of September.

crotch lake will not give up it's fish easily u have to work for them they wont come to you like other lakes, its a cold lake with areas that run deep i've worked this lake all my life and i will never be a expert but some places are better then others.
slot limit sizes have changed this year on the lake 15.7" to 19.7" are the only keepable sizes if you's come up to the lake this year be sure to get a reg's book with your license they seem to be few this year though or go to mnr's fishing regs for ontario.
any one wanting phone # or address for Dennis, Donna Morrow feel free to pm me as know them well.

Grew up in the area.

Little to no walleye in Crotch. Never heard anyone say anything decent about the fishing there, always just the same line, "beautiful lake."