A monster day of fishing! While fishing in the Boundary Waters last week the Lichty family of Minnetonka reeled in some giant fish. Matt Lichty of Minnetonka caught a 38-inch northern. Matt is the son-in-law of Terry and Nancy Olmem of Poplar Lake.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has released a preliminary summer creel survey and four rivers in Cook County are included.
Two creel clerks conduct the surveys from Memorial Day to the first full weekend in October. The Lower Shore clerk interviews anglers from Duluth to Two Harbors, while the Upper Shore clerk interviews anglers from Twin Points to Hovland.
On June 25 the Upper Shore clerk reported, “temperatures remained cold along all upper shore stations with warmest reports only recently reaching the low 40 degree range. Upper shore anglers have experienced unstable weather in the past week with times of stiff winds, fog, rain and thunderstorms causing concern for lake boating.
“Anglers report that most consistent action continues to come from deep water and near to bottom surface structure for lake trout in the 16-22 inch range. This pattern has held consistently at all stations. Unstable weather and cold-water conditions have held angler pressure at light levels on all upper shore stations. Many anglers continue to wait for the first signs of warm water, which usually starts off better action for lake trout and salmon. Anglers have reported that a few lake trout have been caught from river mouths or larger tributaries. The Brule, Devil Track, Cascade and Poplar rivers have been reported to hold modest numbers of lake trout in the 20-25 inch range.”
Not to be out fished by his son, Mike Lichty caught a 42-inch northern. Both fish were caught and released on the first day of a four-day canoe trip.
The DNR has conducted creel surveys annually since 1969. The surveys provide estimates of angling pressure, harvest, and catch rates along the North Shore of Lake Superior, and focuses mostly on lake trout, Chinook salmon, and Coho salmon
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