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March 18 2024

Entry Point 33 - Little Gabbro Lake

Little Gabbro Lake entry point allows overnight paddle only. This entry point is supported by Kawishiwi Ranger Station near the city of Ely, MN. The distance from ranger station to entry point is 23 miles. Access is a 200-rod portage from the parking lot to Little Gabbro Lake.

Number of Permits per Day: 1.5
Elevation: 1235 feet
Latitude: 47.8481
Longitude: -91.6357
Little Gabbro Lake - 33

Gabbro Wind 8-22

by Steiner1730
Trip Report

Entry Date: August 22, 2008
Entry Point: Little Gabbro Lake
Number of Days: 4
Group Size: 2

Trip Introduction:
A cold front was moving in as we entered, and the wind was in our face right off the bat. The weather report looked better for the next couple days so w hoped for the best as we shoved off.

Day 1 of 4


Friday, August 22, 2008

We stayed at a friends cabin on White Iron Thursday night. We were up at 5:15 to get over to see TGO for some leeches and get our canoe. I didnt realize the outfitter I was renting from was 22 miles east of Ely, so we didnt get on our first portage until almost 7am. The 290 rd portage from the parking Lot to Little Gabbro was easier than expected, very well maintained and wide for the most part. We paddled through to Gabbro without having to get off the water to get through at all. AS we entered in to Gabbro, the wind was in our face and fairly strong. After a paddle down half the lake, we found a group leaving the south island camp site. We waited on eh sand beach just past it until they were gone and moved in for the next four days. We set up camp out headed out to do some fishing. We managed a handful of small walleyes and smallmouth along the NE shore of the island directly to the west of ours drifting leeches on rigs. Once the Thunder storm started to move in around dusk we headed in for some fish and steak for dinner. The island squirrel was not happy we were there as he continued to chirp all four days when we were in camp. All day and all night it seemed.

 



Day 2 of 4


Saturday, August 23, 2008

Day 2 we were up early with the rain and wind. Crawled back in until it subsided a little. Then it was off for some more fishing. Hit the same island, but ont he east side as the wind had shifted from the previous day. Same results. We got caught in some drizzle, and then saw the wall of rain coming. We got close to shore and anchored and sat in the down pour which continued on and off for a while. Headed in to dry off in the tent for a while before going back out for the evening fishing run. Fished the island again and the rocks to the west of it. Caught one 20" smallie and a lot of 9-15" eyes. Saw a loon on the way in and were able to get within 15 feet of it. Unfortunately our cameras were tucked away because of the rain. Headed in for the night and were treated to some stars as the clouds broke up a little as dark set in.

 



Day 3 of 4


Sunday, August 24, 2008

Woke up to sun and a much lighter wind. Decided to try some top waters around the shores on the north side of the lake. Nothing was doing there, so we went back to teh leeches on rigs and again found many small walleyes off a rock out cropping. Again caught one smallie at 21". Heeaded in after 8 hours drifting around the north side. Went back out for the night bite with all the same results. AS dark set in we made for camp and the fish was spectacular as the stars came out. As we watched the satelites moving around we saw a meteor enter teh atmosphere in the north sky and go all the way across it. Very cool. Settled in for our last night. We didnt realize how cold it was going to be either. Found out when I got home that it got down to 27 degrees.

 



Day 4 of 4


Monday, August 25, 2008

Woke up around 4am to a scratchin sound in our tent. Turned on the headlamp to see a mouse scurrying up the inside of the tent. He had chewed a hole in the side of the tent and was all over the tent, looking for food I assume. A little of our trail mix had spilled out apparently at some point, and he was taking what he could. He crawled all teh way up to the ceiling and was gone through the hole again. Broke camp around 11 and headed out on teh nicest day of our trip. Almost no wind, sun was out, couldnt have asked for a better day. On our way between Gabbro and Little Gabbro we noticed how many rocks were near teh surface that we coudlnt see on our way in due to the wind. We may have been lucky to not have hit any of these the first time through. The portage out seemed much longer than when we came in of course and was a bit of a relief to get to the car. One more trip down without incident and looking forward to next years trips.

 


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