Things didn’t work out for my usual trip in mid-June this year. I thought, no big deal I’ll take a year off. That was a stupid thing to think. I’ve tried scratching the itch on other ways, but the last couple weeks I have been thinking about the Gunflint trail every day. Mentioned this to Mrs. Gopher while walking the dogs last night and she, in her infinite wisdom, told me to just GO. So now I’m booked for 3 nights at Gunflint lodge and will be taking solo day trips next weekend. I have one sag permit and the rest will be spent closer to the lodge on Gunflint, magnetic, little Gunflint, little north, and maybe north if the conditions are right. Will be towing my boat up for the day on Sag and fishing the Canadian side, but also doing some paddling closer to the lodge.

I’m pretty bored after a summer of walleye fishing, so I’ll be after lake trout primarily. If the bite is strong I’ll have to pivot as I’m not going to pull dozens of fish from the deep water this time of year.

I’ve never fished in the area later than the first week of July. Would appreciate any tips for LT, NP, SMB.

I can't give you much advice as most of my trips are spring or fall , best of luck GG , Give us a report when you get back ;)

Are you bringing your own boat? If so you could check out Loon Lake or Hungry Jack lake. Also, if you aren’t opposed to canoeing solo you could try little iron for anything but trout.

You could also hike into Topper (with a canoe, preferably) and try for some Brooke’s, or try Mayhew for some brown trout. There was a rugged landing on Mayhew at one time, for boat access, but you could putt around the lake in a canoe. Then you could walk up that road a ways and check out the house for sale!

Thanks both!

Mocha, I am bringing my own boat. Have fished HJ a bunch in the past and did well on smallmouth. I’ll look into the others for sure. I’ve always wanted to fish topper but haven’t been able to convince myself the hill is worth it! I did drive down Mayhew rd a few years back, definitely tough to get a boat in there these days but would work for a canoe.

As of now my plan is Gunflint on Thursday night, Friday up in the air depending on how Thursday goes, saganaga on Saturday.

Anybody have feedback on bait or depths or general structure to fish this time of the year?

thegildedgopher: "Things didn’t work out for my usual trip in mid-June this year. I thought, no big deal I’ll take a year off. That was a stupid thing to think. I’ve tried scratching the itch on other ways, but the last couple weeks I have been thinking about the Gunflint trail every day. Mentioned this to Mrs. Gopher while walking the dogs last night and she, in her infinite wisdom, told me to just GO. So now I’m booked for 3 nights at Gunflint lodge and will be taking solo day trips next weekend. I have one sag permit and the rest will be spent closer to the lodge on Gunflint, magnetic, little Gunflint, little north, and maybe north if the conditions are right. Will be towing my boat up for the day on Sag and fishing the Canadian side, but also doing some paddling closer to the lodge.

I’m pretty bored after a summer of walleye fishing, so I’ll be after lake trout primarily. If the bite is strong I’ll have to pivot as I’m not going to pull dozens of fish from the deep water this time of year.

I’ve never fished in the area later than the first week of July. Would appreciate any tips for LT, NP, SMB."

I have day tripped like Clearwater lake to Mountain and back. You can cover a lot of water and cross portages with just the canoe and day pack in one day.