In an attempt to dispel the myth that lodge owners do not get to enjoy the outdoors, I snuck out for one morning this week to wet a line. The weather has been so nice that I could not resist the invite to enjoy a few hours away from the hustle and bustle of our newly acquired business.
It has been such a long time since I have fished without paying customers that I had forgotten how relaxing it is to fish a lake without the pressure of producing bites. I still try my hardest to catch fish, any angler would, but it would not have mattered too much if we had been skunked while enjoying the sun on a secluded trout lake. Not a bad way to spend a beautiful winter morning – especially since the splake were cooperating enough for me to take a few home for supper.
Cook County has many designated trout lakes, some of which are easy to access and usually produce fish on a consistent basis. These “put-n-take” lakes are stocked by the Minnesota DNR with the intentions of providing food and fun for anglers willing to purchase an additional trout stamp with their Minnesota fishing license. The revenue raised from trout stamps helps finance the stocking programs.
Designated trout lakes were irradiated of all other species by the DNR, and then stocked with some type of trout. It seems like a few northern pike and smallmouth bass are able to find their way into these lakes, whether naturally or by the aid of people, which is why the use of live minnows is not allowed.
Anglers are only able to use one line on designated trout lakes, which adds to the challenge, but these fish are not usually hard to catch. I think they are eager to feed because these smaller lakes no longer have as many natural predators to hide from, and they have fairly short life cycles, which makes them young and dumb. The stocked trout will not reproduce naturally, and were placed in the lake with the intentions of feeding anglers, like myself, which is why they are often called “put-n-take” lakes. The DNR puts them in and we take them out for dinner.
Shallow water fishing on little lakes is not what I am used to doing in the winter, but it is a lot of fun and I think my children will enjoy the action and ease of these close-by lakes.
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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