Ice Fishing on Gunflint Lake

Ice fishing on Gunflint Lake takes off in mid-January, when lake trout season opens.   A well-known spot amongst the locals is right out in front of Heston’s, off of the point.  It is a short walk, although some fishermen bring snowmobiles or four-wheelers, depending on the ice conditions.

For those looking for more spots on the lake to drill a hole and drop a line, three miles to the east is the area knows as the Palisades, and beyond that is Campers’ Island.  Steep drop-offs and a reef on the north side of the island prove to be good trout territory.  For even more adventure, it is possible to snowmobile in to North Lake, approximately eight miles away.  North Lake has a long established reputation for trout, northern pike, and walleye.  Though we don’t often hear of fishermen catching walleye in the winter, occasionally it does happen.

Favorite bait and tackle choices in the winter include minnows, cisco, Swedish pimples, and airplane jigs.