The Gunflint Trail lakes are all locked up with ice. Seagull Lake is reported to have about three inches of good ice hiding under a layer of snow and slush and I would have to guess that Gunflint is about the same. Saganaga Lake might also be frozen but it would be wise to wait until Christmas to venture out on the big lake portion since it is typically the last to freeze.
The two winter storms that were projected to bury us in 30 inches of snow fell short of their mark, and with a little luck the slush might not be too bad for the BWCA fishing opener on New Year’s Day. Big snowfalls this early in the season tend to insulate the lakes, causing slushy conditions, however the smaller lakes have been frozen long enough that the added insulation should not matter.
I have not been motivated to drown any minnows yet and with daytime highs reaching zero degrees Fahrenheit, I don’t expect it to happen in the near future. I know that zero is considered a heat wave in February but this is still December and I am not ready to freeze my tail off for some perch or northern pike just yet.
Instead of playing “hooky on the hardwater” our frigid weekend was spent celebrating daughter Sophia’s third birthday inside our toasty warm house. Sophia loves to pretend to cook so Rachelle and I decided to surprise her with a new toy kitchen that took me a little over three hours (minus a couple of anxiety attacks that were curbed with a stiff Irish cream and coffee break) to assemble. I felt the term “some assembly required” was grossly abused since I could have built her an actual kitchen in less time, but the end result produced giant smiles from both children as they fried some rubber eggs and toast for a wonderful family brunch.
This weekend we travel to Duluth to celebrate Sophia’s birthday again with our relatives. It will be nice to get off the trail for a few days and the timing is perfect since the Arrowhead Ice Fishing and Winter Show is being held at the DECC. I am interested in buying an underwater camera and this will be a great way to check out all of the new products for the season while avoiding Santa Claus at the mall.
Consider this fair warning to all of our fellow trail residents since it typically storms whenever I leave. Maybe this will be an adverse year and it will start to warm up. Eternal optimism is the sign of any good angler!
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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