Crab

Crab Lake lies in the headwaters of the Rainy River watershed, draining to that system via an unnamed stream to Gunflint Lake, then to Saganaga Lake via the Granite River. It is located approximately 38 miles north of Grand Marais and public access is through a channel on the east end of Loon Lake, where a public boat landing is on the northwestern corner of the lake. Crab Lake is currently managed for northern pike and walleye. The 2023 survey was conducted to evaluate the survival and growth of the northern pike and walleye population. The walleye catch in the 2023 survey was very low and fell below average for similar lakes in the area. Only two good sized walleye were captured at 16.8 and 21.4 inches. Both walleye appear to be naturally reproduced 4 year olds from the 2019 year class. Crab Lake has not supported a good walleye fishery in a very long time and even with many years of fry stocking have not resulted in any major improvements to the fishery. Walleye have persisted but may no longer be considered a managed species in Crab Lake. Northern pike abundance was good and about average for Crab Lake, and above average for similar lakes in the area. Northern pike ranged from 11.3 to 27.8 inches with a mean length of 21.3 inches. Crab continues to support a relatively high density northern pike population that may provide good action for anglers, especially for fish larger than 25 inches. Low numbers of bluegill, pumpkinseed, and rock bass were collected in the survey. None were greater than 7 inches and would not provide any significant angling opportunities. Cisco were collected in low numbers, but likely provide high quality forage for northern pike within the lake. Cook County, Minnesota lakes continue to be susceptible to aquatic invasive species introductions. Invasive species have the potential to significantly alter fish communities and overall lake health. Anglers should clean watercraft and fishing gear, drain all water, and dispose of unused bait in the trash to prevent accidental introductions.

The 2010 assessment was scheduled to evaluate walleye fingerling stocking done in 2007 and 2005. The walleye gill net catch fell well short of the long range goal (4.0 fish/set) in the 2008 lake management plan, and was well below the normal range for the lake class. It was the lowest catch observed to date in this lake, despite regular walleye fingerling stocking since 1999. One of the walleye collected in 2010 was from a year class supported by stocking, while the other was not. Fingerling stockings in 2007 and 2005 apparently failed, as had previous stockings. Crab Lake supported an exceptionally high quality northern pike population in 2010, with a fairly high number of fish and an excellent average size. Long range goals for the species were met or exceeded by the 2010 catch. Lengths for eight of the 29 northern pike collected in gill nets were 25 inches or greater, and some fish over 30 inches were taken. Northern pike growth had been fairly fast; three-year-old fish averaged 19.9 inches at the end of their third year, compared to an area mean of 18.1 inches. Fish as old as seven years were collected. Bluegill seemed to have been abundant in 2010, but they were small. All but one of the bluegill collected in gill nets were four years old, from what must have been a strong 2006 year class. Growth had been very slow; four-year-old fish averaged just 3.6 inches at the end of their fourth year. Smallmouth bass had not been sampled in gill nets in this lake since 1987; however, two (8.3 and 13.5 inches) were taken in quarter-inch-mesh trap nets in 2010. Quarter-inch trap nets also collected a few young-of-year smallmouth bass; their advanced size (average length 1.0 inches) so early in the season suggested the 2010 year class might be a fairly strong one.

Walleye abundance in Crab lake remained low in 2007. Stocking (fry and fingerling) done in this lake since 1985 failed to improve walleye abundance, which has actually been lower during the stocked period than it was prior to stocking. Northern pike were relatively abundant, and relatively large (compared to similar lakes in the area). Several fish over 25 inches were taken, and most were larger than 20 inches. Despite a limited forage base (yellow perch abundance was low and cisco have disappeared), growth rates for northern pike were slightly better than average. Although none were taken in 2007, bluegill have often been found in Crab Lake and are probably still present. Trap nets, which could have done a better job of sampling bluegill, were not used in this assessment due to the difficulty in getting them to the lake. Rock bass, first found in this lake in 1992, were fairly abundant in 2007, although few were large enough to be of interest to anglers.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Walleye, Yellow Perch, Bluegill, and Pumpkinseed in Crab. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Crab. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

Crab has a maximum depth of 17 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Crab is from 2023.

No invasive species are on record for Crab in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.