Memorial weekend, the first holiday of the season, and we are already facing dangerously dry conditions and enough wind to make everyone a little nervous about the potential for a wildfire. We are expecting a few days of rainfall this week, with a slight chance of lightning storms that should help the green-up process.
The forest is on the brink of exploding with leaves, but the lack of precipitation and below freezing temperatures have stunted their growth. The little rain we received last night was enough to change the buds on the branches into leaves, and turn our back yard yellow with dandelions, but not enough to get us out of the fire danger—yet.
Fishing was much easier last week when it was snowing and gusting to 30 miles per hour. Once the sun came out, the fish decided to stop eating as much. We had been managing to boat five or six walleyes each day, until the cold weather precluding this week’s ensuing storms sent them back into a coma. Even the lake trout, who normally bite well in any weather, have not been very active this week.
I spent three slick calm mornings chasing lakers by trolling shallow, and jigging deep with little success. We would catch a couple of trout each morning, and they all came from the deeper spots that are traditionally fished in the summer months. Forty to 55 feet of water seems to be where the biters are, and they preferred jigging spoons to live minnows. The trout were not schooled-up on any of the spots I fished, and they often spooked before we had a chance to drop a bait to them, which is common behavior on calm bright days. I use my electric trolling motor while trying to locate the fish on my depth finder—even though we are in 55 of water.
The afternoon walleye bite has been better since the clouds and breeze have not been arriving until sometime after lunch. The breeze turns into a wind, and the fish start biting. Walleyes, bass, and pike are all found in the exact same places this time of year. That is why it is important to fish a lot of spots in order to find some signs of life. Persistence pays. All three of these species of fish are chasing the same bait, so do not be discouraged by catching a bass—the very next cast could be a trophy walleye.
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