According to Skyport Lodge on the Gunflint Trail, it’s been a solid season for ice fishing in Cook County.

Despite sketchy ice on some lakes in the southern part of the Northland, Cory Christianson reports at least 12 inches of ice on the Cook County lakes he’s fished and sent guests to.

People aren’t really driving on them, he says, but they are using snowmobiles, ATVs, or even just hiking.

“There’s not that much snow on top of the ice. There’s not a lot of slush. It makes it pretty easy to travel,
Christianson said. “People are even reaching further and further into the Boundary Waters, which is sort of unique for this year. We’re looking at conditions we normally see in March already in the beginning of February.”

In fact, Christianson said the fishing has been great. Anglers are catching fish like brook trout and splake, which he wouldn’t normally expect to be active until March.

“Right now, anglers are reporting anything from 12-15 bites a day. And for us up here, that’s pretty good,” he said. “I guided ice fishing for many years, and if a customer caught 2-3 fish in a day and had 4-5 bites, that was a pretty good day. So I mean, we are seeing a lot more action right now.”

Because the snowmobiling season has been such a bust, Christianson said many of the resorts and lodges like Skyport are offering discounted room rates.