Hi again friends,

We are planning a trip to the Gunflint Lodge in February for a few days. Any tips on ice fishing that lake or lakes around there? It's a huge lake so any advice would be great. I have heard there are trophy lake trout in Gunflint and while that would be awesome, just looking to catch some fish. Eaters would be ideal but open to whatever- trout, panfish, walleye, bass, northern. Any tips would be great, thank you!

Ice fishing in that part of the world means lake trout. You'll likely see where folks have been fishing. Use a flasher (vexilar, depthfinder, whatever you want to call it) and when you mark a fish, try to play keep-away by reeling up. Often, they'll chase. You don't need super-specialized gear; a medium rod and like 8 pound line with a jig and minnow work as well as anything. Braided line is good for deep water. The fish are swimming around; you don't need to mark fish to stay in a spot. It's a patience game for sure; don't expect high numbers of fish.

Daniels and Duncan and such seem to be more of a numbers trout spot. Yes there are giants in those large lakes but....can also be hard to find since it's so big. Use google maps to find sunken humps and reefs and stuff and hit those when you go. The top, sides, etc

Make sure you use a dead stick or tip up with a dead chub or Cisco on it, along with your ice rod.

Make sure you use a dead stick or tip up with a dead chub or Cisco on it, along with your ice rod.

Thanks! Never used a dead stick before but I have tipups and will pick up ciscos before the trip.

Great advice, thanks!

Yeah I have heard Gunflint can be good for trophy lakers but I just want to catch anything. Think I am going to try Daniels. I tried looking at Google Maps but couldn't see much for humps, etc. Any tips on where to go on Daniels? I can also pull the map from Lake Finder and see what is on there. Assuming I am also going for Lakers on Daniels- what would be the best presentation?

This podcast episode is potentially exactly what you're looking for.

https://tumblehomepodcast.com/088-gunflint-trail-trout/

Also, this is what I mean to look for.

Hey WW -

A few years ago, I researched this site for LT fishing info before my first winter attempt. I found lots of hints and good information that helped me catch 2 lakers while winter camping. Here is a tip that I copied and saved to my file: jigging rod and a doctor spoon Jigging will usually outfish tip-ups for lakers, sometimes by 5 to 1 or more

I used a tip-up and it never had a bite. I caught both my fish while jigging a heavy white jig head with white rubber body tipped with a salted minnow.

You can have 2 rigs when ice fishing. So I always put a dead stick in the water and then fish close to the hole so I can keep an eye on it. I had two nice fish last winter on the dead stick. Unfortunately they got away.

cyclones30: "This podcast episode is potentially exactly what you're looking for.


https://tumblehomepodcast.com/088-gunflint-trail-trout/


Also, this is what I mean to look for. "

Fantastic! I will definitely give that a listen- thank you!

bobbernumber3: "Hey WW -


A few years ago, I researched this site for LT fishing info before my first winter attempt. I found lots of hints and good information that helped me catch 2 lakers while winter camping. Here is a tip that I copied and saved to my file: jigging rod and a doctor spoon Jigging will usually outfish tip-ups for lakers, sometimes by 5 to 1 or more


I used a tip-up and it never had a bite. I caught both my fish while jigging a heavy white jig head with white rubber body tipped with a salted minnow."

That is a great tip- I will certainly give that a shot, thank you!!

Captn Tony: "You can have 2 rigs when ice fishing. So I always put a dead stick in the water and then fish close to the hole so I can keep an eye on it. I had two nice fish last winter on the dead stick. Unfortunately they got away. "

I have never caught anything on a tip up and never even tried a dead stick. I did just watch a YouTube on it though and am very interested! I will try a few different things when we get ice and see what is working. Thanks!