The Gunflint Trail is gearing up for the fishing opener this Saturday. The ice is partially out on Gunflint, Saganaga and Seagull Lakes and will probably be totally out by Friday. The smaller (and usually out earlier) lakes still have ice on them. It will take a little bit of luck to have them clear for the opening. On all the lakes boats and motors are going into the water as fast as the ice goes out. Guides are checking their equipment and filling in with the latest lures. Everyone expects some great walleyes to be caught. After all, the Seagull River is where Minnesota's largest walleye was caught not so many years ago.
With all the talk about walleyes, there is a forgotten opener that can be just as productive for fisherman. This Saturday is also the opener for the lake trout season. The lakes along the Gunflint Trail and across the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness offer some of the finest lake trout fishing in the state.
Years ago the lake trout season did not close from March to mid-May as it does now. All of the canoe outfitters would send their fishing guests "ice out" cards. These cards would let the guests know when the ice was out on the interior lake trout lakes of the Boundary Waters. Lakes such as Tuscarora, Little Saganaga and Gabimichigami were highly regarded by these fishermen for their early lake trout fishing. It was said that the best time to catch lake trout was after the ice had been off the lake for one week.
Today lake trout have become an afterthought for many fishermen but in the spring they offer great fishing action. One of the favorite lures is a single-bladed spinner with a treble hook. For each hook the fisherman puts on one native red-striped dace minnow. Troll in about 15 feet of water along a rocky shore at a fairly slow speed (but faster than a walleye troll). The instant you feel the fish hit, set your hook, keep that rod tip up and reel in your fish. Expect extra fighting when the fish sees the boat. Another great trolling lure for lake trout at this time is the old reliable floating Rapala.
For those who look forward to eating their fish as much as catching them, lake trout is a very rich fish. Although the inland lake trout is genetically the same as the Lake Superior lake trout, the fish from the Gunflint Trail lakes are not as oily as are those from Lake Superior. The flavor is very delicate. You can fry them but my favorite way to eat lake trout is to bake them. Gill and gut a 3-5 lb. trout. Stuff it with a bread dressing with apples and maybe a few shrimp. Then bake it at 350 degrees for about a half an hour or until the flesh is flaky. Talk about a mouthwatering meal. Grilling or broiling are also great ways to fix these fish.