Pet Talk with Vicki Davis

This past week I caught some average splake, some small to medium brook trout and walleyes that were just shy of two pounds. No great newspaper clippings will accompany these efforts. This is not earth shattering news. But I’d bet a months worth the live bait it’s more common than not.

In late February every year I start my wish list of new fabled waters.. I get out my stack of maps and finger trace my way up familiar roads and check my pencil notations on what was good and where I got skunked. I keep track of little lakes that really produce and some are so far off the beaten path you know your not going to have any competition. My entire arsenal of fishing gear is for small lakes where I can run and gun if the fishing is less than expected.

When one lake does not measure up I pack up and hit the next sure thing. In a good or bad weekend, depending on how you look at it, I may hit 6 lakes and four streams. Some of these lakes the fishing was lousy or mediocre at best but I may have found a patch of wild rice or high puddle duck population. I have never had a new lake ruin my day.

After I leave my table top with a dream sheet of perspective lakes, I call the Minnesota DNR area fisheries office and talk to one of the fishing gurus that rule the roost. I spend as much of my fishing time in the Superior National Forest as I can. It’s my go to place for fishing.

Every lake or the occasional moose sighting with interspersed fish from any trout to walleye, pike or smallies is only the beginning. The superior national forest is my kind of back yard. I have spent countless hours there so for me the very roads I drive on are friendly. I recognize when a road grader moves a new frost heaved stone. Driving around I can tell which streams are low and which lakes are getting pounded by the latest rumor.

But for the facts I check with the experts.

The fisheries biologists I pester the most have a casual brand of fish speak. Common plain old English and they impart what they have spent their careers involved with, in layman’s terms.

I have my wish list and after several questions I can start to really find fish. Minnesota DNR lake finder helps but a real ear on the other end of the phone when I can reach them is the difference in me hoping and they as professionals taking reasonable expectations on my part and seriously delivering very good fishing. For the added value I enjoy the lack of pressure as compared to one of the top ten lakes in Minnesota that need no mention.

Camping is easy. Scenery that can be found no where else, hence the federal protection. Gravel roads and I get along so perfectly. You’re supposed to drive slowly and that’s about what my fishing truck can handle.

The lakes with carry down access’s or boat ramps are user friendly for a guy like me. Canoes kayaks and small aluminum boats are the big shots on these sky blue waters. To list the wildlife or flora would take textbooks. Vast country where you can go for days without bumping into anyone. With so many lakes you do not have to travel far to get some peace and quiet. The lakes are not heavily connected by portage routes so you’re going to be doing a lot of one stop shopping, but even that has a side benefit of nobody else cruising your shopping aisle from the opposite end.

The superior national forest has been mapped extensively so it’s no secret what it contains. Fishing pressure changes the make up of some lakes with respect to a lake or river going from good to bad. So being in touch with one of the area offices is a great way to decipher my February research with any summer months boating or the hard water season reality. Let’s face it when the word gets out people hot hole lakes for easy filleting.

So next time your water shopping for fish, check out the SUPER natural forest, just don’t tell the DNR I sent ya and if you get a busy signal on the phone be patient, I have lots of questions.

The trout whisperer

Inside the Mind of a Guide

Living the Dream in God's Country - Superior National Forest

Join author, professional guide, and master storyteller, Karl "Trout Whisperer" Seckinger, as he takes you on a 20 year, mystical journey into the Superior National Forest.

On this CD, Trout Whisperer's unique manner of storytelling, and digital sound effects, will transport you on a journey that will place you in the heart of the 'super natural forest' that is known as the Superior National Forest.

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