The sound of my boots crunching across a frozen driveway on an otherwise silent morning. Employing the delicate balance of pressure required to open a frozen truck door without breaking off the handle, again. Turning the ignition with angst as the engine slowly whines into a belt squeaking roar—this is how I remember winter in the northland.
Our first week of consistently cold temperatures should help make some ice in time for the trout opener this weekend. Traditionally, the big lakes have been safe by January 16, but this year is different. Anglers are going to have to play it safe by checking the ice conditions in different areas before trusting lakes that are usually safe by now.
A blanket of snow on the lakes has insulated them enough to prevent consistent ice from building, especially towards the middle of the bigger lakes. Even some bays, which should have thick ice by now, have not been safe for even foot travel.
Saganaga Lake Narrows, which is the area between the public landing and the winter portage, is reported to have some slushy areas in the middle, which is going to be a common scenario this season. Funnel areas that are long and narrow collect extra snow driven by the wind, and the heavy weight on the ice sinks the middle enough to collect water, like a giant bowl. Nothing a little minus-20 weather can’t fix, and that is the forecasted lows for this week leading into the trout opener.
No word on Saganaga’s “big lake” area yet, but Marco Manzo of Sagonto Resort plans on checking it soon. He said it only took three swings of his ice pick to break through at Horseshoe Island, which is located mid-lake on the Minnesota side, where many anglers park their snow machines to hike into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and fish on opening day.
It will be interesting to see how soon the lakes start showing enough safe ice to drive a vehicle on in this area. I have a permanent ice house that has to be towed by a vehicle, and this might not be the best year for that on some of the bigger lakes like Gunflint. They started driving on Lake of the Woods this week with reports of 12 inches of ice, not very far out onto the lake. They have the best ice reports throughout the state this season, and hopefully we are not far behind.
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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