Last week of June I was in the Atikokan area fishing out of Crystal Beach Resort. Although I have been going to NW Ontario since I was 6 years old, 1960, this was the first time I went specifically for smallmouth rather than walleye and pike, which we also caught.
Our cabin

Crystal Lake is very clear. We fished it and two other lakes.

My friend Bill gets us started on the afternoon we arrived.

I join the action.

We caught over 20 that evening, with 4 in the 18" range. Jerk baits and crank baits

We caught 78 the next day. Jerk baits and tube jigs around reefs and islands.

Our favorite island.


We mixed in some walleye and pike over the next two days. Really a great trip.

Nice looking lake. It doesn't look like there were many people fishing it. The surface plugs got some good ones too.

Looks GREAT!

We were there during the week and none of the lakes had much fishing pressure. One lake we had all to ourselves. Crystal had a lot of private homes on the North shore but no boats other than from our camp. Weekends may be different.

Beautiful country, lake, fish.

That water is crystal clear, did it make them spooky?

Louis, needed long cast on top water and jerk baits due to clear water. Not so much on tubes fished deeper.

Looks like an awesome time in God's country !!

Been here 10 years & loving every day of it.

Very nice. How were the bugs?

Looks great.. Thanks..

Let's get ingwe and visit Paul.........




Great report, Sir.

I'm up for it!


I think Paul also fishes for some greenish non-game species....walleyes I believe they call them....

Bugs out on the lake were no problem. On shore ranged from distracting to wondering about a blood transfusion. A little wind helped. Combo of skeeters and black flies.