Where to find Walleye on this lake

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/maps/compass.html?mapext=643628+5272802+645650+5275398

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   Recreation-Compass-Minnesota-DNR.pdf
   

Trolled the whole lake with cranks with no luck-think we should have done slip bobbers at dark but we could not agree where to fish. Any ideas? Should show on the link but this is Crooked by Finland (you can tell we got zero walters ’cause I just shared the lake name!) We caught some smallies on some boulders, would walleyes use those boulders after smallies go to bed?
Thanks

Man I love that area. I haven’t been there for probably 5 years. I fished Crooked once and got a few smallies and that was it. I’ll send a pm with a few lakes I’ve caught walleyes on in that area.

The biggest advice is to go exploring. Even if you don’t catch fish the adventure is always awesome.

Yep we had a great time exploring-beautiful, fresh air, saw my very first moose, great sunsets, quiet, no jet skis. Thanks biiggill

Should be some walleyes to be had according the DNR.

Walleye were sampled in above average numbers in 2014, for northeastern Minnesota lakes with similar characteristics, and similar to recent catches on Crooked Lake. The average weight of one pound was slightly smaller than average. The largest fish sampled in 2014 was 24.8 inches and weighed 5.2 pounds with 25.5% of the catch greater than 16 inches. Ten year classes were sampled in this investigation. Age-2 a non-stocked year was the strongest year class and represented 29% of the catch with a total of 47% of the catch from non-stocked years. Growth of Walleye in Crooked Lake is faster than average for the Finland Area. Catch comparisons for all species will be based on investigations using the same amount of netting effort. Walleye fingerlings are stocked 2 consecutive years out of 4 years. Natural reproduction in Crooked Lake also contributes to the Walleye population.

Thanks Tomr, question is(was) where. #s look good on paper, it was one of the reasons we chose the lake. Where if you only had time for one spot: weedy flat, rocky point, boulder flat, channel opening, or something else you see on the map.

I am defiantly am the wrong guy to ask, but since you did this is what I would try. I would work that shoreline that drops fast right at the base in the 15′ of water with a spinner rig and night crawler. If no takers I would work back and forth across that 15′ hole and would have to believe some are scattered across it. If the lake is extremely clear I would run boards to get the spinners out from under the boat.

Now you got me wondering if this would work and really did not want to drive that far but might have too to see if my BS is any good.

This time of year I would pull spinners over weeds or I would find the wind blown side and pound that with crankbaits, plastics, and jigs.

Might be tough on a shallow lake given the current weather. Might only be an early and late bite this time of year.

That channel would be good early and late, too.

If I remember correctly, that lake is pretty clear. Usually a tough bite in those clear lakes this time of year.

It is a long drive but once you get to the north shore the views are so nice that it doesnt seem to matter (to me at least.) Wind blown side would be a good idea except we had almost no wind. Criss crossing that 15′ hole would have been a good idea. We hit the weeds with swim baits and hit the channel with a Rouge. Missed 2 fish with the rouge in the channel-friend thought that my rusty hooks could have had something to do with those fish getting off. Might have stayed into the night but 100% Deet spray and a thermal cell thing had no effect on the cloud of skeeters that descended on us.

Fish clear lakes up that direction where we slip bobber with leeches and deal with small mouth until a switch flips and wallbangers start biting. If you ask me no sense fishing too early there short window prime time bites unless overcast and choppy

So walters will roll up on those big boulders where we were catching smallmouths?

I’m not familiar with the particular lake. However, on any body of water with stocked walleye (I know they claim Some natural reproduction here) I’ve had most of my luck on the deepest edge of Weedlines. Stocked fish seem to relate to weeds far more than others on river pools or large lakes. I’d troll spinner rigs as close as possible to weed edges.

Good Luck.

with a max depth of 18… surprised it would sustain walleye.. if it’s a clear lake. I would try slip bobber’s over leeches in the evenings, on the break, especially if there is a N or NW wind…. I marked the map where I would start. good luck !

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Thanks Big g-I like how what you pointed out is by a channel and by deep water, think they would have some options right there. BTW lakes up there can be 10′ deep max and have walters-harsh winters but no winter kill.

Have you tried swim baits into the edge of weed beds? In clear lakes walleye tend to stay in the weeds. Pitching a Moxie on a draggin’ jig by BFT for the 360 Jig would be good starters. Pitch and work it back like you were fishing bass. This is a great tactic on lakes like Winnie, Bemidji & Cass, and it works great for weed line walleye. If you do get into a few, cork the weed edges in the evenings with leeches.
More and more bass anglers are reporting walleye catches doing this very thing. From the looks of it there are plenty of walleye in there.