Final wrap up -- We got so busy during the last half of August and into the fall that I did not get back to updating this page as regularly as usual. While August brought some outstanding fishing, it was somewhat different this year.
Saganaga produced lots of smaller walleye - one and two pounders -- more of that size class than we are accustomed to catching. Of course one of the nice considerations is that they will be bigger next year--just right from some of our 'eatin' fish. We know our population of trophies continues to grow in Saganaga, as exemplified by the number we caught this year, and by the catch and release approach many of the guides prefer. Another switch this year is the fantastic quantities of walleyes that were caught on Northern Light Lake in August and September. Some of our fishermen were coming back at the end of the day all tuckered out from landing so many fish.
The whitefish on Sag were steady from late August into September. They seemed to get started a bit earlier than usual so some of our August fishing was better an average with that species.
September and October was steady for walleye, bass and northern. The lake trout final fling the last week of September wasn't much--the water had not cooled down enough for them to gather on the reefs for their fall spawning. As we continued into the last half of October we ended up with such a wide variety of activities that we did not have as many fishing days with the guides. Fishing got sandwiched in between moose calling, women's groups, riding weekends, and our new construction projects.
August 10th. The guides are smiling as recent fishing days have gone very well. The walleye and lake trout fishing has been excellent on North and Saganaga Lakes, while Northern Light Lake has been producing huge quantities of mid sized walleye.
The Lawson family gathering (including close friends, the Kota family and Wade Morris) recently had three guides out one day-- all on different lakes. A challenge was made for the boat that could catch the most fish for the day. By late afternoon each guide thought he had won, but it was one of those fantastic days for all-- the boat on Saganaga boated 14 nice walleye and lake trout, the boat on North boated 17 fish and the boat on Northern Light claimed to have boated 70 walleye!!!. Among all the boats were 3 or 4 trophy walleye (all released) while a few of the smaller ones were brought in for dinner. Then yesterday more of the gang took guide Dennis out and tried for a new record for the day. They went to Northern Light Lake and had an even more fantastic day than earlier in the week. Megan and Mike Kota and Wade Morris, all from Atlanta, GA boated 102 walleye (6 were brought back and the rest were released). Plus the one caught by the bald eagle that swooped down and got one for lunch.
To the best of our memory, during all their years of coming to Gunflint, this is a new record for them. This is the first year Wade joined the gang and he is still coming to terms with the fact that we have natural lakes--not man made ones, and that most of the fish are naturally raised--not planted. So much for your perspective when you come from another area of the country.
Besides all their fun, others caught some nice trophies this last week.
Mike Skiersch of Chicago, IL caught and released a 31" walleye
Emma Skiersch of Chicago, IL caught and released a 31" walleye
I think they both caught more trophies than this with Kevin as
their guide, and they are probably still arguing about who is a
nickel ahead.
Kevin Walsh of Grand Marais, MN caught and released three trophies - two 29" walleyes and one 32" walleye
Wade Rubick of Indianapolis, IN caught and released a 29" walleye
Steve Rubick of Indianapolis, IN caught and released a 28" walleye
Susan Richter of Lombard, IL caught and released a 29" walleye
The walleye lunkers have been biting like crazy. We have finally gotten into the good July fishing time, with lots of happy fishermen.
Sam Waichulis of Oak Brook, IL finally is getting the hang of it after 15 to 20 years. He caught and released three lunker walleyes -- a 28", a 29" and a 29 1/2"
John Brown of Plano, TX had a fantastic day on July 11th. He landed 4 hogs out of North Lake two at 28", a 29" and a 30" walleye
Patti Feeney of Shorewood, MN caught and released a 28" walleye
Mike Feeney of Shorewood, MN caught and released a 29" walleye
He is keeping his fingers crossed that Patti does not beat
him before their holiday is up
The Greniere family of Chicago and Moline, IL really slammed the big ones. Greg caught and released 3-- a 30 1/2", a 32" and a 33"; Duane caught and released 2-- a 30 1/2" and a 33 1/4"; Barb caught and released a 31"; and Alysha caught and released a 28"
Kevin Walsh of Grand Marais, MN caught and released a 29 1/2" walleye
Bob Baker of Grand Marais, MN caught and released a 28" walleye
Dennis Todd of Rockville, MO caught and released a 29 1/2" walleye
Bruce Hamlett of Alba, IA caught and released a 28 1/2" walleye
Kevin Walsh of Grand Marais, MN caught and released a 30" walleye
Mike Simon of Madison, WI caught and released a 28" walleye
Dennis Todd of Rockville, MO caught and released 3 -- a 28 1/2", a 28 1/4", and a 30 1/2"
Terry Mullens of Milwaukee, WI caught and released a 31 1/4" walleye
Thomas Brown of Duluth, MN caught and released a 28" walleye
Terry Mulkas of Downers Grove, IL caught and released a 32" walleye
Bob Baker of Grand Marais, MN caught and released a 29" walleye
Fishing has settled into some of the usual summer patterns. The guides are fishing a variety of reefs (depending on winds) and finding steady walleye fishing. The success of the day is effected by the passing weather fronts, but what else is new!!! Here are some of the top fish catches since our last notes:
Mary Jane Platt of Edina, MN caught and released a 30" walleye
Sharon Strickland of Williamsport, IN caught and released a 43 1/2" northern
Dennis Todd of Rockville, MO caught and released a 28 1/4" walleye
David Wahldick of Bloomington, MN caught and released a 28" walleye
Bob Baker of Grand Marais, MN caught and released a 29" walleye
Dennis Todd of Rockville, MO caught and released a 31 1/4" walleye
Eric Little of New Knoxville, OH caught and released a 29 1/2" walleye
Eugene Little of New Knoxville, OH caught and released a 28 1/4" walleye
Brian Maddox of Willmette, IL caught and released a 29" walleye
Brian Maddox of Willmette, IL caught and released a 28" walleye
There must have been a fantastic spawn for walleye about 4 years ago on Saganaga Lake as the 2 to 3# size class is all over the lake biting like mad. The big ones are still elusive, but they should start showing up on the rocky reefs soon. The water is still cool enough that the lake trout are biting in 15 to 20 feet of water. One of our guests topped their limit with a 10# beauty.
Terry Moore of Pecular, MO caught and released a 29 1/4 walleye
Bob Baker of Grand Marais, MN caught and released a 31" walleye
Phil Holmin of Egan, MN caught and released an 11-4# walleye
Phil Holmin of Egan, MN caught and released a 29" walleye
Both the walleye and lake trout have been hitting very well. But for some unexplained reason, the biggest walleyeare coming in from North Lake while the 2 and 3# ones are coming in from Saganaga. The Lake Trout are hitting like crazy in about 15 feet of water on Gunflint and North Lakes - 3 to 6# range.
Bob Baker of Grand Marais caught and released a 29" walleye
Ron Patterson of Mankato, MN caught and released a 28 1/2" walleye
Bob Baker of Grand Marais caught and released a 42 1/2 northern
The walleye and lake trout season opened this weekend on the Minnesota side of our lakes. There has been solid walleye action but not many real big ones -- most have been in the 2 to 4# range. The Lake Trout are biting in shallow water along the south shore of Gunflint Lake with most of them running 3# or better.
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