An obvious bonus to being a fishing guide, is the amount of exposure we are allowed to experience on the lakes and oceans that we guide on. A deep connection to the woods, and the wildlife that resides there, is made each day as we witness their habits, during every type of weather. This bond is what makes us experts in our fields, and ultimately why anglers pay for our services. Catching fish is important, but a quality experience is always the biggest goal for each day.
Lately my job has been easy because the walleyes have been cooperating, but fishing sometimes takes a back stage to things like loon babies. This year there are a pair of loon babies taking residence near the Moose Pond landing and Chik Wauk Museum’s bay. The babies were born on an artificial nest that was placed by the museum, proving to be successful. Two adults and two babies have been easy to find every morning as we idle out of the bay to go fishing.
Both babies are independently swimming near their parents, but I have yet to see either of them dive under water. Loon babies are always entertaining and because I guide on 50,000 acres of lake (Saganaga and Northern Light) I am able to see a few different families of loons, but this year I have only seen the two Chik Wauk babies.
My unscientific opinion is that the loon population is a little down from previous years.
I pay attention to the loons, not only because they are cool, but also because they can give an angler some information by paying attention to what they are doing. Many times while fishing a shoreline in the spring, there will be a loon working the same shoreline and surfacing with a herring in its beak, which is also what the walleyes are hunting. In the fall, the loons begin to congregate because the herring are in deeper water and harder to capture without some help from the other loons preparing for migration.
They swim around the surface violently in an effort to corral the baitfish while their hunting partners dive under for the kill. The surfacing loons are usually swallowing the large baits, and often stretch their heads high and wiggle as they try to swallow the bulky catch. It may not always be obvious, but most animals that hunt are usually doing just that, so it is worth paying attention to their behaviors. I am still seeing more loons in the shallow bays and shorelines, which is also where we have been catching most of our walleyes.
As soon as the loons start working the deeper spots, so will I.
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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