Fishing Eighth Crow Wing Lake in Hubbard County, Minnesota

• Overview

  The Hubbard County entry here is Eighth Crow Wing Lake, in Minnesota. The water sits 1,375 feet up. Roughly 495 acres of surface: treat each bay as a water in its own right. The edge covers about 4.5 miles, enough to hold several distinct areas. Size puts it in the front rank of our Hubbard County list. Park Rapids is the closest place, 13 miles off. Menahga follows at 20 miles, then Pequot Lakes at 34 miles. No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Eighth Crow Wing Lake

  Sounding records show water to about 34 feet. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. County-wide records name walleye, northern pike, black crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. On Eighth Crow Wing Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 68°F, with January the cold end at about 5°F. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near mid April. From about mid April to around mid November, expect open water on the long-run figures. The strongest runs come at either end of the open season. On Eighth Crow Wing Lake the same rules apply, with local timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. Records list it as a dammed water rather than a natural one, which shows in the shape of the basin. No made access is recorded, so a short walk in is the likely arrangement. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Failing this one, try Owl Lake, 1.4 miles away. Check the current arrangement for Eighth Crow Wing Lake.