Flying over the lake with a jet pack has not been the only hot topic this week on Devil Track Lake. Walleyes are biting, and anglers are taking advantage of the quick fishing each evening before the sun settles on the horizon.
Tourists staying at our lodge have been getting into the evening bite on Devil Track by trolling Rapala original floating crankbaits or spinner rigs tipped with night crawlers along the windy shorelines, and are catching an impressive amount of fish. Walleyes tend to be night feeders and this is as active as they will get all season long. Warm waters cause high metabolisms, which can only be quenched with nightly feeding rituals.
The major bug hatches have been erupting across the lake and everything from minnows to lunker walleyes are tuned into the hatch. Walleyes may not be feeding on the actual bug hatch, but targeting the minnows that are feasting on the multitude of insects erupting from the lake each evening. The pattern has been simple: tie on an original floating Rapala and put the motor in gear.
Fishing late hours is not always easy for someone who does not have a boat sitting in the water at the end of their dock, but our rental fleet of “turn key” fishing boats are always in the water ready to go.
The bite is best between 7 and 9:30 p.m. (or just before sunset) and the anglers are getting a couple dozen fish a night ranging from 12-15 inches in length. There has also been some midday action on the breaks that fall to 12-20 feet of water with jigs and leeches. Night crawlers also work, but the smallmouth bass will get to them before the walleyes.
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. You can also visit Cory’s website at Gunflintfishingguide.com.
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