If you were able to get out and drill a hole on the ice last Saturday, then you earned it. The weather was not nice. Rain showers in the morning that turned into snow flurries backed by 20 mile-per-hour winds. Not my idea of a comfortable day on the water.
Despite the unpleasant weather there were a fair member of anglers on Saganaga that day braving the elements with high hopes of landing some lakers. I did not hear many fishing reports from the other anglers but it was the type of weather system that causes fish to bite. The DNR agent that checked us said he had seen a couple of trout caught but that was early in the day while most people were still getting set up.
I fished with a father/ son duo from the Cities that were very excited about seeing some lake trout. They were experienced walleye fisherman who designed this trip to catch some big lake trout. Unfortunately for them, we caught 14 walleyes and only one trout. The exact opposite of what is usually caught through the ice on Saganaga Lake. I was impressed with our limit of 14 16-inch walleyes but they seemed mildly disappointed with the day’s results. Oh well, that is the life of a fishing guide. One day you are a hero and the next you are a zero.
With very little snow on top of the lakes the hiking is easy. This allowed some anglers to venture out further than I have ever seen them winter fishing on Saganaga Lake before. My group hiked out past Reef Island (about a mile from the corridor) and there were two other groups that had hiked just as far. It looks intimidating when you start the trek but it only took about 20 minutes to get out to the spot. The sleds that were full of our gear pulled easy on the hard ice. A pair of ice cleats would have been nice but I have yet to find a pair that fit over my size-13 Pac boots.
The Gunflint Trail is too quiet for this time of the year. Until we get some snow there are not very many activities beyond fishing to take advantage of. As long as there is safe ice you can fish somewhere up here but you cannot snowmobile or ski without snow. It sounds like we are forecasted for some snow this week so keep your fingers crossed.
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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