This July, Adam and Scott were able to get away for a couple of days to actually enjoy a quick fishing trip finally! David Firman, customer and friend, brought up the idea of camping on the Big Island campsite in Crean Lake, just north of Waskesui. Being a back country site, this was not reservable. This means, you need to show up to the parks office in Waskesui and book it then and there, so we didn’t even know for sure that we would be able to get it. However, we decided to leave at 5am on Sunday morning, getting to the office right at open (and on a Sunday), thinking our chances would b better this way. It worked, we got the site and before it was even 9am, we were already on the water.
You must enter Crean lake on water, by way of the three Hanging Hearts lakes. There is a boat launch at the Hanging Hearts marina where we put Dave’s boat in without issue. We lathered up with our Ben’s insect wipes (so much nicer than sprays) as we loaded the boat with our gear for the trip. Making our way slowly through the first two Hanging Hearts lakes, we came through the channel into the third lake having already admired a bull Elk standing on the shoreline. Shortly thereafter, we also watched a cow Moose with her calf having their breakfast and decided that was as good a place as any to start trolling for Walleye.
Within minutes, we had our first Walleye. Shortly after, another. And before long we had enough in the livewell for our lunch. And we were still only on the third Hanging Hearts lake! We reeled in, and made our way through the narrows channel and out onto Crean lake and towards the Big Island.
Arriving at Big Island (it is the biggest island on Crean lake, but it’s not actually that big really), we docked the boat and unloaded all our gear. Dave filleted the fish and before long, it was sizzling over the wood fire. Lunch was delicious, and after eating we went for a quick swim to cool off, and then back out on the lake for some more fishing.
We spent the afternoon and into the evening trolling and exploring areas north of the island. it was an absolute perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon, relaxing on a boat, line in the water, listening the to the sounds of… Well, nothing! Water, fishing reels and birds. If we’re honest, a couple of us maybe even grabbed a few much needed ZZZs in between trolling and casting. It was such a relaxing time!
Soon, we were all hungry and decided to head in and get supper going. And this is a “glamping” trip, don’t forget. Which means we were going to eat well! Steaks, baked potatoes and roasted corn were all on the menu. Topping that off with some sliced, fresh pinapple fried in a bourban sugar sauce for dessert. Yeah. We ate WELL.
After an evening of sitting around the fire, we all crawled into our tents and fell asleep to the sounds of the trees, birds and water on the shoreline. Soon, the sounds of three men snoring into dreamland disrupted whatever peace the island was used to having.
The sun came up early, almost earlier than Scott who got up and spent the first hour simply watching the lake. The birds on top of it getting their breakfast, and the few small Perch swimming around the dock looking for some eating of their own. Before long, coffee was made and a fire was crackling. Breakfast was cooked, eaten and cleaned up and we started packing up camp.
The rest of the day was spent on the boat. We started with a quick swim again to cool down from the camp cleanup. Then we worked our way around Crean lake, through the Hanging Hearts lakes and to the marina to load up the boat and head home.
We are so thankful to Kristen and Cory for running the store while we were away (the first time we’ve done this during a work day yet!). Oh, and if you ask us next time you visit, see how our return trip on the boat was. I’m definitely leaving some good parts out…
Until next time Big Island! You didn’t disapoint.