Lake trout season opened last weekend in the Boundary Waters, but from reports to Jon at Buck’s Hardware in Grand Marais, not much fishing was happening. However, Jon shared news on a few lakes with “decent action.” Pine Lake is giving up a few lake trout in 25 – 33 feet of water with a jig and minnow. Anglers recommend finding humps and fishing the downside. Rose Lake has been good, with success at 38 – 43 feet. Jon suggests a Swedish Pimple and minnow or a small spoon with a minnow. Fishing is fairly slow at popular Duncan and Daniels lakes, but there has been limited success using small spoons in depths of 35 – 45 feet. Walleye action has also been a little slow. Jon said Two Island Lake is a good place to try a jig and minnow in 12 – 18 feet of water around the rock piles. Elbow Lake is another good “standby” lake, he said. On Elbow, he suggests fishing in 6-10 feet with a plain minnow or an ice fly tipped with a minnow. Tim Quaife at Mike’s Holiday also said walleye fishing is slow. However, he heard that they are biting on Seagull Lake in 45 feet of water. There was a report of a nice 23” walleye, so there is hope. South Fowl Lake, which is difficult to get to, only gave up three walleyes between three anglers last week. Northern Light Lake is giving up a few walleyes in the 8 -12 foot range on Swedish Pimples tipped with a minnow head. Some fishermen have been getting northerns on suckers. Caribou Lake is challenging, but some anglers have had luck in 19 – 25 feet of water using a glowing ice fly and minnow head. Jon joins the News-Herald’s Cory Christianson in reminding fishermen to use caution if you want to use ciscoes as bait this year. Because of the threat of viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS), a deadly fish disease, only certified ciscoes and herring can be used as bait in our local lakes. Tim at Holiday said Holiday is now stocking certified ciscoes and herring. So, if have a successful day on the ice, share your luck— show us your fish pictures!
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