Gunflint Trail Lakers

[JBMasterAngler]

Heading up to Grand Marais on Monday for a few days. Just curious if anyone has been up there this winter and has any lake trout reports? I have several different lakes in mind. I looked at a few different webcams, and it looks like there’s still some snow on the lakes...hopefully it can melt by the time I get up there so slush won’t be a big issue.

 

I’m interested in Sea Gull Lake. I know in the summer, the section of lake outside the BWCA isn’t very good for lakers, but what about in the winter? Anyone ever target whitefish? Appears to have a high population.

 

Anyway, should be a fun trip. Looks like nice weather. Might bring some summer gear also, see if my spring locations on Superior can produce in winter.

 

P.S. Any advice on shed hunting? I think my kids would be really excited to take a break from fishing and look for moose antlers.

Edited March 22, 2019 by JBMasterAngler

[JBMasterAngler]

Got up there and enjoyed some very nice weather! Ice was about 3 ft thick, but 1/3 to 3/4 of it was soft white ice, depending which lake. Lots of spots had a layer of water a few inches down. 

 

Fished Clearwater Lake, and didn’t mark a single thing. Fished 17 to 70 ft. Pretty disappointing. 

 

Mayhew Lake was next on the list. Almost didn’t fish it because the road wasn’t plowed, and the kids are not fans of walking. I knew I would regret it if we passed though. So we suited up and on we went. Luckily it was a much shorter road than I remembered. Fished 15 to 66 ft. Marked several fish. At 66 ft I marked one on the bottom, worked it up 15 ft before I got him to hit. Everything about what I seen on the vexilar told me this fish should have been a lake trout! It was a northern pike! 

 

Before going home, we drove back up the trail and fish West Bearskin Lake. 12 to 64 ft. Marked a few fish. Then with only 5 minutes left before heading in I caught a little laker that was about half way down in 53 ft of water. Nice way to end the day.

 

Did a lot of sightseeing. Saw countless deer. Several grouse, including a spruce grouse. Unfortunately no moose. And surprisingly, no fox or hares. Discovered a few new fishing spots. All around, a very good time up north.