What a difference a couple of weeks can make. The lakes and rivers on the Gunflint Trail are on the rise. Saganaga Lake is only a couple of feet below the high water mark and the rivers are pushing out a lot more water now than they were at ice-out.
Too late for the riverspawners, but good for us.
The rainfall we received last week changed the scenery up here. Everything is green with life—even the trees that looked dead. The spruce and balsam trees that looked completely dead are now growing little green buds at the end of their limbs. Unbelievable. I thought for sure they were not going to make it. Only the strong survive.
Fishing has been very “hit or miss” this week, unfortunately favoring the latter. If the weather is bad— the fishing is good and viceversa. The lake trout have been my savior on those tougher days since they have been willing to bite in most conditions.
Saganaga Lake is a great fishery that will sometimes kick your butt. Just when I establish a productive pattern, it all changes the next day. Lindy rigs tipped with leeches are a springtime staple that have been working the most consistently. If the wind picks up, I like to start throwing some jig and minnow combinations at them while drifting the shorelines.
Today, we stared at bobbers for most of the slickcalm morning before giving up on the shallow water walleyes. The bite was off for reasons unknown.
I have heard some very similar reports from Northern Light Lake this week as well which makes me feel a little better about Sag Lake. If fishing is up and down over at Northern Light, then it is tough everywhere. The fish over there like to bite, even when walleyes are not supposed to be biting.
The newly intensified current that is being discharged at the mouths of the rivers should attract some fish. I was told that the Cross River that comes into Gunflint was giving up some nice walleyes. Rivers dump oxygenated water and nutrients into our lakes and are natural attracters for both predator and prey. Heavy rains cause flooding which collects insects and organisms that fish eat. This can happen any time throughout the open water season and is especially good in the fall. Some of the fastest walleye fishing I have ever seen up here was after heavy rains in the fall.
The lake trout have been 40-60 feet deep and biting with a vengeance. Jig and minnow combinations have been working well. I like to use a 3/8 ounce jig head and a shiner. The trout on Saganaga are filled with small herring that look similar to a shiner. The herring have been jumping on the better spots. I am not sure if they are being chased to the surface or if they are eating insects but they are fun to watch.
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.
Leave a Reply