Catching Bass Can Be Crystal Clear

Head to this Northwest Ontario resort for an opportunity to catch your personal best smallmouth bass.
smallmouth bass fishing extreme angler tv

One of the best things about fishing for smallmouth bass in Northwest Ontario is the sheer number of lakes and rivers that harbour both numbers and personal best trophies for visiting anglers across North America who make the trek to this part of the province.

We recently had an opportunity to visit with the nice folks who own and operate Crystal Beach Resort near Atikokan, Ontario on Crystal Lake which is an excellent lake trout, smallmouth bass, and northern pike lake. Catches of one-hundred bass a day are not uncommon on this lake and some guests have experienced over forty lake trout in one day of fishing!

crystal beach resort sign

Crystal Lake is not known for its walleye fishing but many excellent walleye fishing opportunities exist in some of the lakes in the surrounding area and are teeming with them! Walleye anglers often stay at the resort and use it as a base camp to access these walleye lakes, which gives them a choice to fish different lakes each day of their trip. Anglers can choose over 20 nearby lakes, all within driving distance of the camp. This allows anglers to fish in all types of weather conditions, with some lakes wide open, and others having many bays and islands for protection. 

aerial landscape crystal beach resort

Marimon Lake is the most known lake in the area, producing the largest smallmouth bass anywhere in Ontario's Northwest. Smallmouth bass in the 4 to 6-pound range are not uncommon! With some even up to 7 pounds! The size of Marimon Lake is about 24,000 acres of water and is a backed-up floodwater system of the Seine River. This lake is known for its northern pike, walleye and smallmouth bass fisheries. 

ontario smallmouth bass fishing crystal beach resort

Our trip to Crystal Beach Resort was in mid-July with slick calm and sunny conditions mixed with a few short rain showers thrown in for variety's sake just to make it a bit more challenging.

We fished a few different lakes during our visit and caught a boatload of northern pike in all sizes along with smallmouth bass ranging from one to five plus pounds on various noisy top waters including poppers and prop baits.

The bass literally crush your top waters on these lakes.

extreme angler tv angler holding fishing rods aerial view of crystal lake northwest ontario

When the top water bite slowed down around lunchtime, we picked up a Ned Rig bug bait and cast it to a mixture of pebble rock and sand and caught some of the lake's bigger, thicker bass that we’re hunkered down with bellies on the bottom during the high bright sunny conditions.

At Crystal Beach Resort the very spacious cabins can accommodate small groups, all the way to large family reunion groups. Each cabin has a lakeside deck and picnic table. The cabins are heated with a wood stove and they supply the wood. The cabins also come fully furnished with electric refrigerators, electric ranges, toasters, coffee pots, microwaves and all cooking utensils.

All linens are included except personal bath towels. Each cabin also has a full bath.

interior cabin crystal beach resort exterior cabin crystal beach resort

Looking for the opportunity to catch your personal best smallmouth bass on some of the most scenic lakes Ontario has to offer, consider visiting with the nice folks at Crystal Beach Resort.

About Karl Kalonka

It's possible Karl's love for fishing began as early as the age of five. His parents took the kids on weekend trips across Ontario fishing for panfish, catfish, and bass. "I started with a bobber and worm from the time I was five years old," says Karl. These days, he has the enviable task of doing what he loves for a living, travelling across Ontario fishing, filming and producing two outdoor series, Extreme Angler and Crappie Angler TV.

Recommended Articles

Beyond the Walleye: Cracking the Code on Timiskaming’s Coffee-Coloured Giants

High-tech sonar and pink lures uncover a world-class smallmouth fishery.

The Pipestone Foursome: Unlocking the Multi-Species Treasure Trove of Cedar Island Lodge

From explosive topwater smallmouth to rare northern largemouth and deep-dwelling lakers, the diversity of Northwest Ontario is put to the ultimate test.

World-Class Fishing and Wild Wonders of Timmins

Where trophy walleye are found within city limits and wilderness adventures include sleeping with the wolves.

Don’t Be Afraid Of Muskies

Muskies are fish of 10,000 casts and are found in large bodies of water in Northwestern Ontario.

Reaching Deep For Walleye

Fishing for big Walleye in Ontario's Bay of Quinte.

Fishing and Foraging

Add some fresh foods and forage to your fishing adventures!

Catching Bucket List Walleyes at Dogtooth Lake Resort

The Ontario Experience visits Dogtooth Lake in Sunset Country

10 Facts About Lake of the Woods

10 facts amazing about this massive Northwest Ontario Lake!

Ontario Brook Trout

Fish these 10 sweet spots.

Ice, Grit, And the Glory of the Kaby Lake Pike

The weather is a relentless challenge and the fish are the ultimate reward.

Long Nose Gar

A Fish for the Bucket List

5 Canoe & Kayak Fishing Destinations

Where to go canoe and kayak fishing in Ontario.

The Best Of Times in Northern Ontario

A guide to the best time of day to hit the ice while fishing this winter.

Kicking It Old School

Dusting off the tin boat to fish less accessible waters

Gear Up for the Fish of Ten Thousand Casts

Preparation is the only thing standing between you and the trophy musky of a lifetime at Cedar Lake Lodge.

Bob Izumi searches for bass and pike

Fishing unfamiliar territory, Bob Izumi lands monster smallies and Northern pike

Wild Brook Trout

Remote Outpost Fishing on Pinei Lake

Best WhiteFish Tactics

In Part Two, Learn Best Rods, Reels and Lure Presentations for Whitefish

Bear Creek Bruisers

Fishing Musky on Lake Nipissing

Ontario Experience

Drive-to Fishing at Waterfalls Lodge