Every summer, typically in late July, the wild blueberries and raspberries begin to ripen for the picking in many areas along the Gunflint Trail. The lush northwoods are riddled with patches of blue and red, tucked away amongst the deadfall and scrubby brush. All that is required to harvest nature’s sweet treats? A sense of adventure, a pail, and enough self-control to abstain from eating the harvest as it is picked.
Eventually a recognizable pattern becomes clear, to the extent of being able to predict productive areas at a glance. The Ham Lake burn area near Seagull Guard Station has been hot for the past few years, and will likely continue to be productive for a number of years to come. Burn areas create ideal growing conditions for blueberries, but they begin to produce less berries once the older growth regains the soil.
Mid-summer is a great time to hike the numerous trail systems, while hunting for berries. Slightly elevated areas with scattered granite bed rock seem to be the key ingredients to finding large patches of berries. If you can find scattered bushes, you are getting closer to the mother lode. The biggest patches seem to rest in slightly shaded ditches along the elevated areas, making use of the soiled areas between granite outcroppings.
Rachelle and I have found a few enormous patches of wild blueberries, in the past, while hiking the burnt areas of Saganaga Lake with our two children. Big patches are considered sacred grounds, much like fishing spots, claimed by the explorer that finds them first, and there are approximately 45,000 burnt acres to choose from on Saganaga Lake—so good luck finding my hot spot.
We harvested two gallons in an hour last year (maybe three gallons if you count the ones that did not make it into the bucket), which was enough to last us through March. This year we will have to get three gallons, possibly even four to accommodate our kids’ growing appetite. Nothing beats blueberry pancakes with local maple syrup on a cold February morning.
The best advice I can give while enjoying the woods with a pail in hand: watch out for bears who also enjoy nature’s candy, and keep track of where you are. It is easy to get turned around in the woods, especially when your head is always scouring the ground for berries.
I also try to avoid any berries that are within peeing distance of the trail.
Good luck and happy berry hunting!
P.S. The Chik Wauk loon babies have been hanging around the Red Rock Bay area of Saganaga Lake this week. The two parents have been keeping a watch on them as they both have begun diving for about 10 seconds at a time.
Cory Christianson has worked as a fishing guide on the Gunflint Trail since 2000. If you have any fishing or wildlife reports or stories to share, send an email to: christiansoncory@hotmail.com or call 218- 388-0315. You can also visit Cory’s website at Gunflintfishingguide.com.
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