The phrase “on the rocks,” has taken a new meaning now that I bartend more often than I chase walleyes on Saganaga Lake, but I was able to fish a little this week and we found some fish on the main lake rock piles.
The water temperatures are finally on the rise and walleyes are beginning their migration from the muddy bottom bays to the rock piles found on the main lake basin.
An old and accurate saying that I was taught years ago was that walleyes moved out to the reefs, or rock piles, once the daisies growing along the roadside were knee high—which is happening right now. I fished a dozen of my favorite early summer rock piles, the ones that are almost hittable, which we refer to as “brown water” spots, but mostly found bass. The walleyes were less common, but we managed to boat seven eater-size walleyes that fell victim to a lively leech dangled below a slip-bobber set at eight feet. Soon there will be more walleyes showing themselves on these same spots as they journey from the bays.
The wind has been blowing northwest in the afternoon while the mornings are usually a little too calm for walleyes to be active. Lake trout are a great alternative when the sky is bright, since they are not as affected by the weather in the deeper water, where they spend the summer. Fifty-sixty feet of water are the best depths to look on the bigger lakes since they will need to hide below the thermocline, and that seems to be where the herring prefer to loiter.
Saganaga Lake has been better to fish in the past few years than it has been in a long time. Walleyes are showing themselves in spots that have not held fish for quite some time. It is exciting to be out there, especially since there are very few anglers on the lake. The day use motor permits are usually available and the weather is getting nicer… better get out there before the season slips away.
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.
Leave a Reply