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Located south of the Mealey Mountains,
in the headwaters of Labrador's Eagle River, Crook's Lake Lodge is situated on one of the world's most prolfic
brook trout fisheries. While there are locales that provide bigger average size (such as the Minipi giants averaging 5 ½ #, up to 10 #), or destinations that boast fantastic numbers of smaller (mostly 1 - 2 #) brookies, Crooks Lake offers consistent, high quality fishing for wild brook trout of a very impressive average size. |
| Crooks Lake (a.k.a. Croix Lake) also appeals more to the stream and
wading oriented angler. The river sections fished from Crooks will not consistently yield the huge (6-8 pound)
trophies available in the Minipi, or catches of 30 or more fish per day, but do produce consistent river fishing
for large brook trout, with catches ranging from 10-20 per day the rule. Brookies here range from 2-6 pounds, occasionally
larger. For years we've told clients these fish average around 3-4 pounds. However, a government sponsored study during the 2005 season revealed the average brook trout caught at Crooks Lake was 4.56 pounds. Fish over 6 pounds were fairly common and specimens up to 8 pounds were recorded. It's possible 2005 was just an "exceptional year" but this study further confirms the quality and potential of this remarkable fishery. |
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The trout fishing is mostly flyfishing and catch & release is encouraged. The season usually gets under way around the 10th of June, and while the weather can still be a bit iffy, the brookies feed voraciously early on. Mayfly hatches usually start around the 15th or 20th, and much of the fishing is with dry flies. In addition to Wullfs, Humpies and conventional dries, these surface oriented fish will eagerly attack mouse patterns or unweighted muddler type patterns skittered or waking in the current. |
| In addition to the abundant brook trout, Crooks Lake and Eagle River offer chances for northern pike, occassionally reaching the 20 pound mark. Pike are taken trolling spoons and plugs, as well as large, saltwater size streamers. But in quiet, weedy backwaters, you can catch them casting flies or plugs around rocks and other cover. They love mice patterns, but will also explode on fly rod big poppers. Bring a 9 weight and your bluefish poppers! |  |
