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I saw a bunny cross the road as I returned from dropping the kids at the bus this morning. It appears that spring must be officially here because they are once again in transition, this time from white to brown.
I have also noticed an increase in the bird activity. Perhaps its just that longer days (light before I wake) I hear their early morning chatter more noticeably.
I’m beginning to get e-mails, facebook messages and phone calls wondering what the ice conditions are. As of today the ice on Gunflint looks frosty white. The west bay by Cross River is open as far as Cross River Lodge (Moosehorn or Borderland to you ol’folks). The lake is beginning to rise and pull away from the shoreline. Bob’s best guess is around 2 weeks. So if you haven’t made your reservations yet – best get to it!
Just when we were on our way to a timely spring, Mother nature decided to throw us a curve ball. 2.5 fresh inches of snow this morning, and it’s snowing again now! Admittedly it’s beautiful and has covered up the ugly remnants of the recently melted snows, but I think at this point I’m going to have to veto winter! So today’s project is to pack up the skis/boots/poles and snowshoes and put them away for the season. The good news is it’s all more moisture to help raise the lake levels! We need everyone to start doing a sunshine dance!
Several lakes and rivers along the Minnesota-Ontario border in Cook County will be closed to fishing at the start of this year’s season to protect concentrations of spawning walleye from potential over-harvest.
Walleye may be vulnerable to over-harvest during what is expected to be a year with relatively late ice-out and delayed spawning.
Closures, which are done in cooperation between the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, affect both sides of the border. All areas closed to fishing will be posted.
The following areas were closed to fishing on April 1:
•   Sea Gull River from Sea Gull Lake through Gull Lake to Saganaga Lake approximately 1/3 mile north of the narrows will be closed through May 27
•   Saganaga Falls on the Minnesota Ontario border where the Granite River enters Saganaga Lake will be closed through May 31
•   Maligne River (also known as Northern Light Rapids) on the Ontario side of Saganaga Lake will be closed through May 31
•   Channel between Little Gunflint and Little North Lakes on the Minnesota Ontario border will be closed through May 31
•   Cross River (inlet to Gunflint Lake) from the Gunflint Trail to Gunflint Lake will be closed through May 27.
The following areas will be closed to fishing from Saturday, May 14, through Friday, May 27:
•   Tait River from White Pine Lake to the Forest Road 340 crossing, including a portion of White Pine Lake
•   Junco Creek from the first log dam above County Road 57 downstream to Devil Track Lake, and including a portion of Devil Track Lake near the river mouth.
Only fishing is affected by these closures, travel is permitted through the areas.
Direct questions to the DNR office in Grand Marais at 218-387-3056 or to Steve Persons, Grand Marais area fisheries supervisor, at steve.persons@state.mn.us.
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