Our two groups just got off Seagull on Saturday.

We arrived 9/11 and paddled through Seagull into Alpine. The portage looked like a highway at rush hour. Canoes and people going both ways crowding both the portage and put ins. Once on Alpine, we found only one open camp site on the entire lake. Our second group had to portage back into Seagull for a camp site.

The Alpine group caught small mouth, WAlleye and Pike each day. Seagull group caught nothing.

Temps were unlike anything we have had in 12 years of going up in September. Over 80 degrees the first day, and upper 70's Tuesday and Wednesday. Night time temps in low 60's

Then on Thursday evening in came the thunderstorms. Worst winds and rain we have experienced. Due to more coming in on Friday afternoon, we voted to get off the lake and back to the outfitter in the lull FRiday morning. As we left the south side of Seagull, winds picked up to 15 to 20 mph and white caps and waves started. We hugged the shoreline all the way back able to average only 1 to 1.5 mpg in our canoes.

We moved to the Gunflint area 9 years ago due to the crowds in Ely. We moved to September trips due to the bugs. Now we are finding far more people tripping in Gunflint area and the mosquitoes were coming in in swarms.

Should we consider moving to last week of September or first week of October? What effect would that have on the fishing?

The fishing continues to get better as fall progresses, although the fish will be in different areas , they are feeding heavily during these times. I have had some tremendous fishing in late October, and even November when the weather allows. The crowd is non existent, but the weather can be a bitch as I'm sure your aware of. That being said there are areas that you can go even in the busiest times of the season to escape the crowds , but it usually takes a couple long portages to get there.

Here is a strategy to consider.....

I have been waiting untill now to decide on an entry point for tomorrow (tuesday).

Mudro is fully booked monday to sunday except for 3/6 permits for tomorrow. Alternately snowbank is booked on monday but has 7/8 permits for tomorrow as well as permits available on wednesday and thursday. Im choosing snowbank in this instance to avoid the crowds.

If you dont have the flexibility of deciding last minute you could always pick a lake with 2 permits per day and buy it out.

What species are you fishing for?

Walleyes

for those that have gone to the Gunflint area. . .specifically Seagull Lake area. . .in October, what have the temps, and fish been like?

quote murphylakejim: "If you dont have the flexibility of deciding last minute you could always pick a lake with 2 permits per day and buy it out."

Do people do this? Is it considered legit by the Forest Service, and ethical by the community?

quote smit2174: "

quote murphylakejim: "If you dont have the flexibility of deciding last minute you could always pick a lake with 2 permits per day and buy it out."

Do people do this? Is it considered legit by the Forest Service, and ethical by the community?"

The OP had 2 groups

We take 2-3 groups up each year. All stay at Seagull Outfitters, then split up and paddle to different sites on Seagull or Alpine.

This year we were up 9/11-16. Temps in the 80's, rain and thunderstorms. Mosquitoes were out in force. One other unique thing. . .morning after the thunderstorms one camp had 5 large snakes in the camp near one of the tents.

quote cowdoc: "

quote smit2174: "

quote murphylakejim: "If you dont have the flexibility of deciding last minute you could always pick a lake with 2 permits per day and buy it out."

Do people do this? Is it considered legit by the Forest Service, and ethical by the community?"

The OP had 2 groups"

Ah, OK. Missed that in the post--sorry!