It may seem a little crazy to complain about the beautiful weather this week, but we are losing snow by the second. The balmy 30-degree days are taking a serious toll on the snow conditions. My wife and I were sledding back from Hungry Jack Lodge this weekend and we were forced to water skip for about 20 feet on the east end of Iron Lake. I am not talking about slush, but open water. Surprisingly the lakes have not been showing near as much slush as last year.
The conservation officers were out in full force this weekend and reported slow fishing on most of the larger lakes.
We had some great action on Birch. I know I said last week that I was going to avoid Birch, but fishermen lie. The majority of the bites were brook trout in the barely-edible range but a few nice rainbows were taken as well.
Two years ago I caught mostly splake on Birch. Last year was rainbow trout and now it is mostly brookies. Birch Lake was very difficult to get out of. Every angler leaving on Saturday spent a good 20 minutes trying to climb the bald hill on the southeast end of the lake. I thought the Moss Lake portage would be a good way to exit, but I was wrong. Leftover trees and jagged rocks made for a sled-damaging return that I will not attempt again until we get a major dumping of snow.
To make matters worse, I made a wrong turn on the Moss portage that is actually the South Lake trail. You absolutely do not want to go that way. This billy goat path is less than friendly. It resulted in a sled so far down in the salad that we had to leave it overnight. It required a power winch and three hours of back-breaking labor to retrieve the next day, not to mention a wasted track on a brand new sled. Ouch!
The best bet up here right now would be any lake with easy access such as West Bearskin, Clearwater, and Gunflint. At least you know you will be able to get out.
Trail Center is hosting a winter ice fishing contest that is absolutely free and every species of fishwill count. Three winners from each category will receive a prize and be entered into a drawing for the grand pize. Simply bring your catch into T.C. where they will measure and record your catch. So far there has been a 35” lake trout and a 30” walleye recorded. You do not have to give up your hot spot, but you do have to show your catch for proof. Good Luck!
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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