Crane Lake has been a part of our family for coming on 30 years. Looking back, it seems that it just wasn't a summer without parts of the family gathering there for a week (or two) of fishing, eating and swimming.

About 20 years or so ago, near this spot, my dad caught a family record 19# 1 oz northern pike (on a little silver Red Eye that I bought him for Father's Day!).

Why have I included the islet picture here? Well, 4 years ago, my son caught a 5# 8oz bass. (And we were out of film! But we have since acquired a digital camera and are ready for them lunkers to hit our lines now!) It was big enough to win him first place in the Minneapolis Star Tribune 10-12 year old division of their fishing contest.