The sun feels more powerful now that it is officially spring, and our parking lot is showing a little more gravel with each passing day. Puddles are forming on top of the ice-covered lakes, and the once silent creeks are beginning to be heard again as the melting snow finds its way back to the lakes.
Eventually, the lake levels will rise forcing the ice to “pop-up” and separate from shore – the first stages of meltdown. This can be an intense time to fish the bigger lakes which tend to “crack and thud” while the ice is being pressured from below. A large boom is often followed by a small ripple of a wake that will pass by your fishing hole. I do not know what it does for the fishing, but it keeps your heart pumping between bites, even though there is still over two feet of ice on most of the lakes.
Fishing reports from those of you who have more time than myself, have not been very good. The weather is nice, the lakes are making a lot of noise, but the fish are not cooperating. Ice fishing is very unpredictable, and the most you can ask for is a nice day to enjoy your time outdoors.
Devil Track Lake has been forming puddles after being exposed to the bright sunshine today, and I would expect the puddles would connect and flood the lake for a few days while the ice begins to separate from the shore. It takes a while for two feet of ice to melt, but once the process has begun, it continues to gain momentum until it has finished.
The white landscape we have enjoyed all season is slowly disappearing, but it is nice to watch the forest critters running around on the recently exposed earth. I saw a snowshoe hare that was already sporting a fancy mixed coat of white and brown, a sure indication of the spring thaw, and the big house flies have been appearing outside our windows. I am excited about the open water season and even more excited to be closing the restaurant for the month of April. It has been a wonderfully busy winter, and now it is time to relax before the summer season and focus on us.
See you in May.
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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