Anyone Else Ever Have This Happen?

[panhead]

Every fall I take a trip down the gunflint trail in NE. Mn.This past year on my first night , camped at campground on eastbearskin, I put minnows over the side of the boat in the typical yellow and white plastic bucket. Minnows had been in bags with oxygen purchased at Als Bait in Two Harbors. In the morning every minnow in the bucket over the side of the boat was gone. This had happened years ago once before when I camped at the end of the trial. Again the same situation with the minnows. As I am sure some of you know by mid fall minnows can be hard to get along the trail and at times even in Grand Marais. Grand Marais is about a 60 mile trip from the campground at the end of the trail. I am looking for a minnow bucket with some type of a lock. Anyone ever seen something like that? Otherwise I am going to have to figure something out to keep the critters out. thanks Ken

[gunflint]

Panhead,

It was the otters. There were 3 of them hanging around the bay all summer. I use a piece of wire and loop it through the holes in the door of the bucket than wrap it around back and twist it. The otters hate that but like you said minnows can be hard to come by up here at times.

The otters had been gone for several years but someone trapped about 20 beavers out of the bay last fall, then the otters showed up.

Did you fish east bearskin? It was a pretty hot walleye lake this fall. But don't tell anyone.

[JAR JAR]

Well it sounds like you had a friendly neighborhood otter. they sure are peskey little critters and can seem to get into any thing. Or maybe a raccoon but the solution could be is to drill small hole just below the flap on the bucket and tie the flap shut or but a steel bucket and put a large rock on the top of it.

Jar Jar

[Northlander]

I use the largest twist on leech locker. They cant figure it out. That happened on Dogtooth and Northern Lights to people. The critters didnt take long to figure out the little plastic latches either. A zip tie works well too.

[Jackpine Rob]

Yessirree! A guy's just got to know his minnow bucket's limitations.

I modify all of mine by adding some sort of latching system, usually using eyebolts and a snap. Mink are the usual culprits - and are extremely efficient and quiet at removing the minnows from most buckets.

[panhead]

Thanks for the replies. Next year I !ll remember to bring a piece of wire with so as to tie the bucket shut. Gunflint, I did fish eastbearshin this past fall. Caught quite a few eater size fish. More than in past years. Was the spawn especially good a few years back or are these stocked fish? I found just the opposite on Sag. this year. Fished it four days hard with only two walleye caught.A local resident told me for the most part fishing had been tough on Sag. most of the year. Blamed it on the lack of summer up there. I had thought it might have something to do with the above average temps. I experienced when I was up there. Whats your thoughts? Ive made a fall fishing trip down the gunflint every year for the last eight years. Camp out of truck camper. Fish out of a 16 foot alumacraft lunker Ltd with a 25 hp. mercury.Bought that boat and motor combo just so I could get out on Sag. and other local lakes. I did the canoe trips years ago also. Firstfished the gunflint trail lakes in the early 70s. Have gotten to meet some of the folks that live up there. I was hooked but work etc. kept me from getting back up there until eight years ago. I plan on getting back up there again next Oct. Sure seems like a long time from now. Ken

[gunflint]

panhead,

It was a good year for eaters on east bearskin this year, and a few big ones too. East Bearskin has not been stocked with walleye since at least 98 and maybe earlier.

You were not alone in your difficulties on sag. I know several people that fish sag often and what they noticed was that the big fish were still biting somewhat, but the eaters were hard to come by at times. In fact several of the guides changed over to north and gunflint for a while. Even northern light was slow for a long time.

There are several local theories on why the fishing was slow, but I think we'll have to see what happens next year before I believe any of them. It may be a little bit more difficult though because a federal court has lowered the number of day use motor permits available, and rumor has it that groups like Friends of the Boundry Waters, and the Sierra club are going to try to tie them all up. Thus keeping the evil fisherman from destroying the lake.

One tip I forgot to mention about wiring the minnow bucket. Use coated wire. You would'nt believe how loud bare wire scraping against an aluminum hull can be.

[Fishing Junky]

Hey Gunflint. Any idea on how much of a reduction on the motor day use permits? Fished Sag on the second week of July and had my best year fishing in about four. We were checked by someone taking a creel count and the guy told us we had faired alot better than anyone else out fishing. I guess we were in the right places at the right time. Love to fish Sag. Hope they don't reduce the permits too much. Junky............

[gunflint]

Fishing Junky

I don't recall the exact number of the reductions, but they set it back to the original number agreed on when they founded the Holyland. My advice would be to figure out a date you want to fish sag and reserve a permit asap. I'm not sure when they will start taking permit reservations for 05 but you could call the forest service and find out.

With Guides, Resorts, Private Parties, Property Owners, Outfitters, and the enviromentalists all going after permits next year it could turn into a real mess!

[Fishing Junky]

Thanks for the headsup, appreciate it. By the way, you know a guy by the nickname Emmit up there? Thanks again, Junky..

[panhead]

Gunflint,

The whole permit issue is another reason I go to Sag. after Oct. 1. Permits for day motor use are self issuing, hopefully that isnt going to change? I tried to get out on Sag. last Sept. 30th, but no permits remainned.The weather can sure get interesting in fall on that big water. On friday Oct 1 of this year I was greated with waves approaching 5 ft.I had to help some paddlers that were in trouble,and thus delayed my own return to safety by not getting back into narrows when I wanted. Strong northwest winds can really build up some big waves that come at you from the back just before getting into the narrows. We are restricted to 25 hp. on boats that need to be big enough to handle the bigger water and thus are underpowered. I was surfing in with those big waves, throttle position didnt do anything to change the boats position in the rollers I was in. I looked back and the wave behind me was almost up to my head.If it had broken over, Id been sunk. Im sure over the years quite a few boats have gone down trying to get back in. I remember fishing Sag. out of F7 alumacraft back in the 70s. Any breeze at all and I had to get off the lake. Ken

[gunflint]

I was chased off of sag a couple of times this past season because of wind. It comes up quick on sag.

Ever notice that the paddlers have nothing but contempt for fisherman with motors, until they need help or get tired?

[Fishing Junky]

Hey Pan. Just bought a new Lunker myself for Sag. Sure hope I get to use it up there. Junky.

[panhead]

Junky,

I like mine alot. Alot of room in it. Ive backtrolled into 2 foot waves without major problems. I ve got alot of weight in the back of my boat,25hp. mercury. use an old 71/2 hp. as a kicker, an electric and me at around 230 lb. As I mention in a previous post, a big load with 25 hp. and these boats, in my opinion underpowered. Empty and it gets on plane right away. With a big load,heading into waves and wind and it takes awhile. I put one size lower pitch on the mercury to help with getting on plane with the loads. Once on plane I usually back off the throtle, I am not in that big of a hurry and so many of the lakes up north have reefs which at times can get ya. Seems like every time I get I to spend more time on Sag. I fine more reefs. I know from previous posts of yours that its one of your favorite places to go, as it is mine too. What motor did you put on your new boat? Trailer? Ive got a shorelander 14/16 I think it is. I wish I had a bigger trailer,as when I do get to head up the gunflint I have quite a load. I even bring firewood with so as to not have to take away from fishing time looking for firewood. My only trip of the year and I just want to fish.Ten to 12 hr. days are the norm of me. You guys are just geting into ice fishing,so it will be awhile before you get to use that new boat. Enjoy the hard water season.

[panhead]

Gunflint,

I have heard others complain about paddlers. Truthfully, I just wish I could get up your way more often to enjoy the area.Maybe then I would have an opinion. What gripes me is the restrictions put on us that use boats to enjoy the area you live in. Especially on a lake the size of Sag.I can remember staying at chik wak lodge on Sag. years ago. Seemed like most of the paddlers got a tow accoss that big water anyway. I canoed years ago and did enjoy it. I am 53 now and have back problems, so canoeing and me no longer go together. Not extended trips anyhow. On the trip I take in fall I go by myself. After three or four days by myself I find it enjoyable to talk with everyone. I have meet some very nice people. I figure anyone thats on the gunfint in Oct. must really enjoy the area. I know I do.

[Jiffy]

I am sorry panhead, but I was chuckling when I read your post. I used to have this happen to me on lake vermilion all the time. I believe they make a minnow bucket that locks. "troll and flow" maybe. not sure on the name but those critters should not be able to open the one I looked at.

[Fishing Junky]

Hey Ken. I put a 25 yamaha four stroke on it with tilt and trim. I also put the smallest pitch prop on the motor, which I think is a 9. Also put a yahct club roller trailer under it. I've had the boat in my possesion for 22hrs before I brought it to inside storage for the winter. 0 hrs on it. I think an underpowered boat really struggles with too much wieght in the back. More wieght up front is better, as you can always pin the motor back a bit. Also, I think if you raised the motor up off the transom some, so the cavitation plate is even or slightly above the bottem of the boat would help you some. Just MHO though. A buddy of mine has a 98 or so lunker with a yammy 4 stroke. He has a fin on the moter which seems to help him get on plane. He is a big boy also. Can't wait to use it on Sag. I can see problems in the future getting day motor passes on Sag in the near future. I do however, get an overnight motor once a summer and go with the boys. Best trip of the summer by far. Good luck getting your passes. Junky...........

[gunflint]

Panhead,

I guess I should ease up on paddelers some what. I have been told that I have synical nature.

I have a hard time understanding motor restrictions. Why only a 10hp on Seagull and Clearwater but a 25hp on Sag or East Bearskin? Why can I have an aluminum boat on bwca border lakes but not an aluminum can in the boat? You can have any size or type of fishing boat on these lakes, but no pontoons or sailboats no matter what size motor they have.

There is a possitive side however. I think all these restrictions steer alot of people to other parts of the state. Don't get me wrong we need tourists up here to survive. But with limited access to most lakes and a limited number of accomodations those, like yourself, that do come up here find plenty of room to fish, rest, and recooperate.

You are absolutely right about october. Life on the gunflint in september,october,april, and may, keep the rest of the year tolerable.

When you come up next october swing in nextdoor to the campground and ask for Mark, maybe we can do some fishing.

P.S. You bring the minnows, I'll bring the bucket.

[Casaloma]

From BWCAW.org

"You may now complete Lottery Applications for wilderness permits for the 2005 season. Lottery applications can be submitted by internet until 5pm CST on January 15, 2005. Applications submitted by mail or fax must be received by 5pm CST on January 10, 2005. Click Here to submit a Lottery application online and login to the BWCAW reservation system. To submit an application via mail or fax Click Here to download the application."

Either Login or create an account here: https://bwcaw1.reserveusa.com//security/MembersInfo.jsp

[musky hunter]

Probably racoons. They are masters at cleaning out the minnow bucket. The best way to keep them safe might be to sink the bucket. At least that way the darn critter will have to hold his breath to get the minnows! And yes it has happened to me. You are lucky if one solitary minnow remains.

[northman]

On sawbill lake, I watched an otter get after my minnow bucket. I sat and watched first, to see if he could get the bucket open and he did. I then ran down and chased him away. I lost a few minnows but I saw for myself that it could do it. I do believe that a racoon has the same skill. I think to, that a turtle might open the bucket and grab maybe 1 or 2 minnows and then the rest would swim out. I to wire the door shut and when practical, I like to bring 2 buckets with me and split my minnows into 2 buckets. one tied up off shore and wired up shut for spares. the other bucket is tied to my canoe and in use.

[panhead]

Gunflint,

Mark, thanks for the invite. Hope we can connect. I always get more than enough minnows, unless the otters are around. In fall I mostly use 4-6 inch minnows. Usually end up with suckers because their whats available. Are you located before the road into the campground or on the private road that starts just after the turn into the campground at east bearskin. Email me at [email protected] I am not sure if the forum wants this stuff private. Have you ever been on The Walleye List? Check it out sometime over the long cold winter ahead of you. Seven hundred member list with novices to professionals on it.Alot of members from the upper great lakes but also some from around the country and Canada. Happy holidays to you and all that read this. Ken in Wi.