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March 19 2024

Entry Point 69 - John Lake

John Lake entry point allows overnight paddle only. This entry point is supported by Gunflint Ranger Station near the city of Grand Marais, MN. The distance from ranger station to entry point is 69 miles. Access from Little John Lake. This area was affected by blowdown in 1999.

Number of Permits per Day: 1
Elevation: 1217 feet
Latitude: 48.0547
Longitude: -90.0569

Arrowhead Adventure

by nathanweidman
Trip Report

Entry Date: May 31, 2009
Entry Point: John Lake
Number of Days: 5
Group Size: 3

Trip Introduction:
3 guys with a canoe and a kayak

Day 1 of 5


[paragraph break]Sunday, May 31, 2009 After traveling about 8 hours we entered at EP 69 (Little John) and traveled into John to find the first camping site open, which is the one we wanted because of it's vacinity to our regular late night fishing spot. Surprised by the cold temps hovering around 40, just put on all the layers I brought and hope it doesn't rain to much right away. Camp set up and it immediately starts raining, sure feels cooler but the forecast said it shouldn't get colder so we throw on the rain gear and head out for a late afternoon fish before getting ready for our regular late night fishing. Wow, seems like it's getting colder and those rain drops are turning into sleet.......iceballs....and now it's snowing!! This defiantly was not in our forecast but I'm sure it will only last a few minutes........1 hour later and this is just too cold and snowy so we head in after only catching a few smaller northerns and a bass. Rains and sleets the rest of the night and we are unable to get any more fishing in. Very cold night!!

 



Day 2 of 5


Monday, June 01, 2009 It's not raining anymore and we decide to fish John on the first day while trying to dry out some things around camp. Between the three of us we catch about 10 northerns 1 perch a couple of walleys and one very large smallmouth (19.5 inches) Seems like a quick day and we decide to eat fish that night with asparagus and some potatoes & onions. My dad has an awesome home made cajun seasoning that warms you up. That night fishing was slow and only caught about 5 or 6 walleyes. Rained that night again and it was again very cold, but no snow.

 



Day 3 of 5


Tuesday, June 02, 2009 We get up and decide to head for East Pike for the day. First cast from the end of the portage before putting the boats in and my dad battles a nice musky for about 5 minutes before it finally breaks his line. We had it very close to shore but never landed it, but what a start. Battling a strong wind up the far shoreline we catch many nice smallies and 4 or 5 25-30" northerns. On the way back in the afternoon we are not as lucky on the other shoreline with only a few bass and a couple northerns. Back to John by 6:30 to eat dinner and go fishing again. Better walleye fishing this night, but still nothing to get excited about. Not too sure about the Gulp Alive leeches, only two fish on them the entire trip.

 



Day 4 of 5


Wednesday, June 03, 2009 My brother and I decide to head back out of John and attempt to go see Johnson Falls on the other end of Pine. Just a few miles through McFarland battling some wind and then whammo, Pine has 2 foot rollers and we only make it to the only island on Pine and it's already mid afternoon. Had lunch with a very nice couple and their son and then decide we've been defeated and ride the waves back catching some bass and a nice lake trout (25ish) that combined with the waves and it fighting make for a very interesting adventure. Beautiful scenery but we are pretty worn out after that battle with the wind. Come back to hear our fathers story of the largest fish of the trip being caught (37" northern) without using his fishing pole. He decided to stay back and fish out of the kayak on John and while drifting on the north end of the lake with about a 22" walley on the stringer, the story gets pretty funny. I after seeing what he thought was a follow up to his rapala, he soon realizes that the northern wants the walleye and it grabs hold and won't let go even after pulling on the stringer a few times. Dad then decides to reach for the net and after it falls off the edge twice, he finally nets the walleye on the stringer and the very nice northern. I know, it's sounds crazy but it really did happen. Dinner and a few walleys and some smaller northerns and the day is over.

 



Day 5 of 5


Thursday, June 04, 2009 Pack out and head home. Best weather of the trip though. All I have time for now.

 


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