The Gunflint Trail came to life this weekend with the buzz of snowmobiles and ice augers stretching from the South Brule to Saganaga Lake. I was starting to worry that anglers might prefer fishing down south this year to escape the cold, but the weather was nice enough for a great turnout of people fishing the trout opener.
I was guiding half days on Gunflint Lake but we did not see a lot of action. Winter fishing is rarely fast and furious but we managed to throw a couple of trout on the ice each day.
Gunflint Lake froze so fast this year that the ice is very clear and it felt like we were standing on glass. Fishing was fun even though there is some labor involved in shoveling two feet of snow down to the ice before drilling holes, especially the spot we cleared for the pop-up tent. The deep snow might cause some problems this winter but right now it is pretty nice to ride on. If we ever get some warm days it could turn into a slushy mess out there.
We rode our sleds across Gunflint on Sunday and only hit a couple of wet spots while heading out to fish. The few slushy spots were small enough to buzz right through them. The best solution to finding yourself in a sloppy situation is to throttle down and don’t look back until you are on solid snow. The worst thing to do is to stop moving because it is hard to get started again.
Deep snow can also be a deterrent for anglers who like to hike to their favorite fishing holes. We fished Daniels on Friday and if it were not for the snow shoes I would not have been able to get to my favorite spot across the lake. In some spots the snow was above my knees making it very difficult to hike with gear and a pull-behind sled. Snow shoes are an essential tool for lake hiking, and I was able to pack a trail down for the customers to follow.
In six winters of living on the Trail, I am amazed at how unique each one has been. This winter I would try bright and loud lures due to the lack of light penetration through the ice. I like buckshot spoons all year long and choose to fish the natural-colored ones in the brighter summer months, while tying on the obnoxiously bright jigs in the winter. Fish rely on vibration and sight to catch prey and even though they do not seem as active in the winter they are still having to hunt for their next meal, so ring the dinner bell.
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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