Opening weekend was anything but exciting for many anglers. The walleye bite just was not happening, but luckily the lake trout saved the day.
Saganaga has turned into a very good lake trout destination the past few years. We have always had them, but not in the numbers we are seeing today. Some people believe they migrated from Cache Bay and it makes sense to me.
Cache Bay does not get the fishing pressure of other areas, and it has the perfect combination of habitat and deep water. The fish might have simply overpopulated and need to find more prey out in Saganaga.
Our average size was around two pounds and we were able to catch a few in the first hour of the day. I was surprised to see that the meat was actually nicelooking with a peach color to it. Usually the trout in Sag are not the best eaters, but these were.
Theseason has been about a month ahead of itself this year and it was no surprise to hear of a few walleyes caught as deep as 25 feet of water. Typically they would be found in eight to 12 feet of water and sometimes even shallower. The hot days have to be freaking them out. May has always been a touchy time of year for fishing. Storm fronts and high winds make the bite turn on, and we have had too many hot and balmy days with very little wind.
This Memorial Day weekend will be the first annual Gunflint Trail garage sale. Local businesses and homeowners will be getting rid of their unwanted stuff all along the Trail. You can stop into Trail Center for information on locations of the sales. It seems a little bizarre to be calling it a garage sale when very few people up here actually have garages, but I am sure you get the point.
I know that my wife would like to sell everything in the yard that I have not been able to find a home for yet. As long as she does not try to sell my boat I guess it is fine with me.
Traffic has been increasing up here every day, especially the heavy machinery type since the road restrictions have been lifted.There are still a few speed bumps in between Loon and Gunflint Lake that are marked with some warning flags. Law enforcement has been in full force watching for antsy tourists racing up the Trail, so watch your speed and give the wildlife a fair chance.
Cory Christianson, a 2000
graduate of the University of
Iowa, has worked as a fishing
guide on the Gunflint Trail
for nine years. If you have
any fishing reports or stories
to share, send an email to:
christiansoncory@hotmail.com
or call 218-388-0315.
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