Expected late ice-out prompts fishing closures on Canadian border

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 [email protected].