The Cook County Ridge Riders Snowmobile Club hosted their annual Trout Derby on Gunflint Lake this past Sunday. It was a beautiful sunny day that looked much warmer than it really was. The attendance was great, despite the cold temperatures, and the lake trout were biting.
I chose to fish a spot that was not too far away from the BBQ. A cheeseburger fresh from the grill was a great way to thaw out after a frigid morning on the ice. The Ridge Riders hosted a great event once again with an impressive $500 cash prize for the biggest lake trout. Second place received a power auger and I took home a nice rod and reel combo for placing third.
Gunflint Lake can be a tough safe to crack but lately it has been producing some nice fish. I find myself on Gunflint Lake more often these days and not just because it is so close to our home. A couple of my best days of guiding last summer happened on Gunflint Lake with some nice walleyes and lake trout. I should also add that a couple of my worst days were also on Gunflint Lake, but you never know unless you go.
There are some roads plowed on the west side of the lake that start at the public boat landing and extend out into the deeper water. Until we get some more snow up here, the lake is easy to access by vehicle. This is a great opportunity for anglers who do not have snowmobiles to take advantage of the lake.
I guided a young couple the day before the Derby and I suggested that they might want to venture out onto the lake to watch the festivities since you do not usually get an opportunity to drive around Gunflint Lake on a plowed road. They took my advice but decided to make their own lake entrance on Gunflint Lodge’s beach with a Ford Taurus and fell short. I guess I should have told them that the road started at the public landing.
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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