The sweltering heat and humidity has taken a toll on the northland this week and for some strange reason the bigger lakes refuse to warm-up. Surface temperatures on both Saganaga and Gunflint lakes are peaking around 72 degrees, but anyone who has taken a dive off of a dock can confirm that it is much cooler a few feet below the surface— at least that is what I am told.
I often tell people, “If you see me swimming it is because there is a boat on the bottom of the lake below me.”
It is not that I cannot swim, in fact I really enjoy it once I decide to take the plunge, but I find myself spending less time in the water each year and more time on the water.
Here is what I have discovered this week on the water. Many of the walleyes caught have been found in less than 15 feet of water, which is fairly unusual for the end of July, possibly because of the cooler sub-surface water. The science behind fish behavior is hard to define—so I simply experiment each day until a pattern can be established. Brighter days have been pushing them deeper and vice versa, but there are no hard and fast rules to fishing other than persistence usually pays.
There have been a few bear sightings lately. A small cub has been seen running around Leaning Pine Bay on Saganaga Lake with her mother in prime blueberry country. The Ham Lake fire created nutrient rich habitat for blueberry bushes to thrive in and the bears are experts at locating these areas. Twice the duo has made an appearance for us this week, once on land and once in the water. It is amazing how buoyant and agile these hefty round creatures are.
Bears are good swimmers and ride high in the water. We were close enough, but not too close, to see that the sow was only using her two front legs for propulsion while her back legs simply drug behind her and the little cub had no problem keeping pace with mother.
It is tempting to get a close-up view of these animals while swimming but it is not a good idea since they are vulnerable and nervous. Years ago as a young fishing guide I made the mistake of approaching a bear in my boat that was swimming across a wide portion of Saganaga Lake in an attempt to impress my customers. The little bear began nervously swimming in circles and nearly drowned. We quickly backed away and luckily the bear continued to shore. Lesson learned.
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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