Fishing and staying on Crow Lake, Ontario.
A big, deep, clear lake just north of Nestor Falls, with Lake of the Woods directly across the highway. Muskie Bay Resort sits on its own sheltered bay of Crow Lake, with cabins and docks right on the water.
Crow Lake at a glance.
Officially Kakagi Lake, Crow Lake is one of the larger and deeper lakes in the Nestor Falls area, and one of the least crowded.
It runs roughly 15 miles end to end and drops to about 180 feet, which keeps it cold enough to hold a well-known lake trout fishery alongside muskie, smallmouth and pike.
Much of the lake is essentially uncharted. Between the islands, reefs and deep breaks, that is the main reason local knowledge counts for so much here, and why a first trip with a guide or with semi-guided support tends to pay off.
Crow Lake drains south toward Lake of the Woods through a chain of smaller lakes, starting with Cedartree Lake.
Crow Lake facts.
Figures are approximate and drawn from Natural Resources Canada and Ontario geographic records.
The fish of Crow Lake.
A cold, deep lake with a mixed fishery, so there is something worth chasing in every season.
Lake trout
What Crow Lake is best known for. In summer they hold deep, and in winter they come shallow enough to catch through the ice close to the resort. Season runs January 1 to September 30.
Muskie
Crow Lake carries the same 54 inch minimum size as Lake of the Woods, so nearly every fish goes back. More on our muskie fishing page.
Smallmouth bass
Rocky points and reefs hold smallmouth through the summer. On Crow Lake they are catch and release only from January 1 to June 30.
Northern pike
Open all year in Zone 5, in the weedy bays and along the shallower shorelines.
Whitefish and cisco
Lake whitefish and cisco, also called tullibee, are the forage that big muskie and lake trout feed on, especially in fall.
Limits and exceptions change, so check the current Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary for Zone 5 before you fish.
The only resort down Muskie Bay Road.
Muskie Bay Resort sits in a quiet, sheltered bay of Crow Lake, tucked away from the highway and the crowds.
Lakeview cabins and motel units come with full kitchens, Wi-Fi, satellite TV and air conditioning, and every guest has the fire pit patio, sauna, hot tub, kayaks and canoes. You can tour every unit on our accommodations page.
Our docks are on Crow Lake, so you are fishing minutes after you leave the cabin, and our separate private launch on Stevens Bay puts Lake of the Woods within easy reach for days you want to fish the bigger water.
Fish Crow Lake your way.
Premier Guided Fishing
A guide who knows the reefs and breaks of Crow Lake, plus lodging, all meals and a traditional shore lunch.
View Package · From $970 / personSemi-Guided Fishing
Your own deluxe boat with gas and portage lake access, with our crew pointing you at what is biting.
View Package · From $640 / personOntario Ice Fishing
Shallow-water lake trout through the ice on Crow Lake, plus sled access to Lake of the Woods.
View Package · From $800 / personCrow Lake, answered.
Where is Crow Lake in Ontario?
Just north of Nestor Falls in Kenora District, on Highway 71 between Fort Frances and Sioux Narrows. Stevens Bay of Lake of the Woods sits directly across the highway.
Is Crow Lake the same as Kakagi Lake?
Yes. Kakagi Lake is the official name, and Crow Lake is what most people around Nestor Falls call it. Ontario's fishing regulations list it as Kakagi Lake (Crow Lake).
How big and how deep is Crow Lake?
About 43 square miles, up to roughly 15 miles long, with an average depth of around 68 feet and a maximum of about 180 feet. That depth is a big part of why it holds lake trout.
What fish are in Crow Lake?
Lake trout, muskie, smallmouth bass, northern pike and lake whitefish, with cisco and perch as forage. Read more about muskie fishing here, including the 54 inch size limit.
Can I get from Crow Lake to Lake of the Woods?
Crow Lake drains to Lake of the Woods through a chain of smaller lakes, but most guests reach Lake of the Woods through our private boat launch on Stevens Bay, directly across Highway 71. That way you can fish both from one stay.
Can you ice fish Crow Lake?
Yes. Lake trout come shallow on Crow Lake in winter, often within minutes of the cabins, and the typical safe ice window runs from mid January to mid March. See Ontario ice fishing for packages.