Hi everyone. Looking at the map little crow and big crow lakes kind of caught my eye. A couple questions for those of you who have camped on either or both. Are they good lakes to spend a week camping on? Is one better than the other? Does either lake have particularly good campsites? What is the fishing like on these lakes in mid-summer? Does one of these lakes have a fire tower on it (thought I remembered something about that from years gone by)? Thanks for any replies.

Do not waste your time camping on Little Crow Lake. One of the sites is burned out, the other two are not very good.
Big Crow, now that's a different story..there are a number of nice sites on the lake, and yes there is a fire-tower on the lake, the only one left standing in APP. Hogan would be a nice stay for a week, there's a big Marsh area to explore, cliffs to hike upto. I have seen and tasted the good fishing in Hogan. I can't speak of the fishing for any of these lakes though, as I'm a lousy fisherman.

From Big Crow Lake, be sure to hike to the huge white pines, man those trees are massive. Fishing is good on the Crow River if you can find a good pool in the shallow waters of mid-summer. Summer also means "crowds", be sure to reserve a campsite.

what is the paddle like from proux to little crow? Does it shallow out or is it one where you'll be dealing with a bunch of beaver dams?

Yes, beaver dams galore from Proulx to Big Crow. More of a nuisance than anything 'cause you just haul your canoe over them.

For me, best site on Big Crow is right at the mouth where Crow River flows out. Very spacious, shallow and sandy beach. And old tower is just across the bay. Crow River is a good stream to fish in spring for specks here.


Bo

I was there last August. Not a single beaver dam in the creek, but it was a lot longer than I thought. Count on 1.5 hours in the creek.

As for Crow lake itself, sites on the east shore along the sandy beach are nice and big, however they are a bit exposed to the wind. For more wind cover, the best site is on the NW point as you exit the narrows from little crow.

If you only have time or energy to do either the Tower trail or the pines trail, DO THE TOWER TRAIL. I didn't think the trail to the great white pines was all that impressive. The view from the lookout at the base of the tower was amazing...made the trip!

Good Speck fishing in Crow Lake.
Fair Laker fishing in Crow lake.

Been there many times. From Proulx to Lit Crow is an easy paddle very few dams if any. The tower trail is more impressive than the pines. Nice spring by the ranger cabin Great view at the top. You can go exploring down the crow with good fishing for specks at the portages and in the pools. I wouldn't spend a week there though when the park has so much to offer. Markus is right, venture over and spend some nights on Hogan for more exploring. Fishing is ok. Or travel down and camp on the Crow, cool site and neat experience. Explore!

I have camped on Proulx Lake and ventured further up the river to Crow Lake, it was smooth paddling all the way nary a beaver dam. Lots of moose in the area, also sighted a bear along the water. Once you reach the Crow River, there's some logs/other logging evidence that you may have to watch out for.

Harry

Kyle is correct. I went up the crow into crow lake, not a single dam, it was august too.
But that can change every year, every season.

Markus
Etobicoke, Onterry-airy-airy-Ohhh!

My message should have read once you've finished paddling through big Crow Lake and have reentered the Crow River waters then you have to look for deadheads, logging evidence etc. Sorry if I left anyone confused!

Harry