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Posted

I've read recently that folks are still fishing Canisteo Pit. I thought that body of water was taken over by Magnatation and no longer open to the public. Didn't they open it up to promiscuous fishing a couple years ago just before it closed down for good? Outdoor News reported (Ben's Bait) that people are still fishing there. Any info on this would be appreciated ... particularly where the access point is.

 

Posted

Canisteo Lake was closed down. I believe Canisteo Pit is a different complex. I don't know this for sure, but that's the impression that I got when I first heard about the closure. 

Posted

Thanks JBM ... Here is part of the DNR release from a few years ago ... pretty sure we're talking about Pit, not Lake. I couldn't find anything about a Canisteo Lake

Canisteo Mine Pit to be open to liberalized fishing

(Released October 8, 2013)

The Canisteo Mine Pit, located north of Coleraine, Bovey and Taconite, in Itasca County, will be open to liberalized fishing regulations, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The regulations will go into effect at 8:00 a.m. on Oct. 17 and will end at sunset on Dec. 1.

Mining activity is resuming in this area and Magnetation, LLC. will be constructing a processing plant near the water access site currently operated by Itasca County. The water access will close on Dec. 1.

Posted

Yeah, it's kind've confusing. I looked them up on the DNR lakefinder, and both come up as canisteo pit. One of which is 1,500 acres (which is the one I believe was closed down), and the other is only about 40 acres. It's known as pit lake as well. From what I gather, they were both apart of the same mining complex, and are pretty much right next to each other...maybe even connected, but I don't know for sure.

 

I remember contacting the DNR about the closure back when it was announced, and they said that water levels could be drained by as much as 100 ft. I don't know anything about mining, so I don't really know what's going to happen to the lake, but if it does get drained that much, that still leaves lot's of deep water for the trout to survive. Could be quite the fishery by the time it reopens...of course, I might be collecting social security by the time that happens :eek:

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  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • mbeyer
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