Loon Lake Tales

Well first we had a foot of snow earlier in the week and then the cold temps have arrived.  This morning it was -21 below zero.  So it is safe to say winter is officially here.  The Shack is ready for winter guests so check out our open dates at www.visitloonlake.com and make some plans to visit.

Get more info and stories from our Facebook page.

Tom & Terry

Well the season is off and running.  Ed has been fishing almost everyday and is ready to take you out for a guided trip.  Last year he had a great year with our guests.  Even the neighbors started to ask him to take them out and show them the hot spots.  So the next time you visit you may want to take advantage of his fishing skills.

Check us out on Facebook for the most up-to-date info on what is going on at Loon Lake Lodge.

Tom & Terry

Well this morning the ice was off the bay!  The main body of the lake still has ice but it is beginning to break up.  So by sometime this weekend we should be ice free.  The cabins are cleaned and we are ready to take guests.  Give us a call and come on up and see us.  800-552-6351 or check out openings on line at www.visitloonlake.com.

Tom & Terry

Well it is opening of fishing today but no way to get on Loon Lake. In fact it is snowing right now and just not very nice. The lake is still ice covered but the river down just past the Lodge is open for about 200 yards.  I am hoping that by next weekend we will have some open water.

Little Iron just across the Gunflint Trail for us went out today as did some of the other smaller lakes in the area..  So there is hope. 

Happy Mothers Day to all. 

Tom & Terry

Well it still looks and feels like winter.  It was just 10 degrees this morning and as I look out the window the lake is still frozen tight.  Last weekend the fishermen were reporting 30 plus inches of ice on the lake.  So it won't be opening anytime soon but spring will come and the ice will go away.


We still have openings and special rates before Memorial Weekend.  Check us out.

Tom & Terry

Two great events this last weekend and I think everyone had a great time.  First, there was the Mush For a Cure. You can check out the photos on their facebook page.  Smiling faces all around.  Secondly, the John Beargrease came through early Tuesday morning.  There were fewer teams this year and they were running close together so it was more exciting.  When they came down Loon Lake the first 3 teams were only 2 to 3 minutes apart.  For a sled dog race that is close!  The only problem -- it was after midnight so there weren't many spectators.  Check out their facebook page for some good pictures. 

Tom & Terry

March Madness Gunflint Trail style starts this week.  First will be Mush for a Cure.  What is Mush For a Cure? Mush For a Cure is a non-competitive sled dog FUNdraiser with proceeds donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.  Over the last few years they have raised tens of thousands of dollars for breast cancer research.  So check them out if you are in the area or go to their web site and you can donate to a great cause.

Starting Sunday the John Beargrease Sled Dog race gets started.  The race comes from Duluth to Gunflint Lake and back again covering nearly 400 miles in just a couple of days.  The trail comes up our driveway so we have a very good view of the race but the problem is they generally come through during the middle of the night.  Terry and I volunteer to provide safety for the teams crossing the Gunflint Trail.  Just to make sure there is no conflict between traffic and the teams. 

So lots of things going on!

Tom & Terry

If you have been to the Lodge over the past couple of years you would have noticed a sharp decline in the number of moose sitings.  Terry and I see, or more accurately don't see this every time we drive to town.  The numbers are now in and it doesn't look good.  In 2006 there were close to 9000 moose in northeastern Minnesota this January the count was down to 2760.

The big question of course is why.  There are a number of theories out there:

• Wolves - some say with the increase wolf population they must be killing more moose
• Warming climate - warming temps causes more stress on the moose making them more vulnerable Minnesota is the southern edge of the moose range
• Disease and parasites - with the moose weaken by other forces they are less able to fight off sickness

No one at this point can say with certainty what is causing the rapid decline.  In the end it will probably be a combination of all of this factors.  Hopefully with new research being done today we can find a solution before it is too late.

Tom & Terry

Snow has been hard to come by so far this year.  The last couple of days have changed all of that.  It looks like we have accumulated 8 to 10 inches of the light fluffy stuff!  That makes it easier on the skiers and snowmobilers.  Some of them however may wait to take part in the new snow due to dropping temps.  It won't get above 0 until Thursday.  


The Shack is open so give us a call if you want to come play in the snow or just come to enjoy the peacefulness of the outdoors. 

Tom & Terry

The 2013 Beargrease Sled dog race has been postponed until March 10.  Snow conditions along the North Shore and even some spots on the Gunflint Trail are short on snow.  No one knows what impact this will have on the number of teams entering the race. 

We always look forward to the race.  We have a front row seat as the teams come down Loon Lake and up our driveway on their way to the snowmobile trail just across the Gunflint Trail from the Lodge. We will just have to wait and see what happens and hope we get more snow.

Tom & Terry

Lake trout season open for lakes outside the BWCA this last weekend.  This will increase the traffic you see along the Gunflint Trail for the next couple of months.  Many people have their favorite lakes and secret locations they head off to this time of year in search of the lunker trout.  Loon Lake gets its share of the action.  Most people fish the west end of the main lake for two reasons.  First there are some nice fishing spots just down from the public landing on the north side of the lake and secondly the county keeps the landing road plowed so you can easily get out on the lake without a snowmobile. 



Fishing out in front of the Lodge

Ice conditions are good at this point with depths ranging form 12 to 18 inches.  With the temps in the single digits and below you can be sure it is making ice every night.  If you have your own equipment get out there if not there are some guides in the area that take people out for a winter fishing experience.  We are open until mid March and we have openings so give us a call, 1-800-552-6351.

Tom & Terry  

Last week a guest and I went fishing with a local guide.  We went to Sag Lake which is known around the state as a great fishing lake.  We were excited to get fishing.  As we were cruising out to our fishing spot I spotted something sitting on a rock as we pasted an island.  I asked Cory,our guide, to turn around and there it was.  A beautiful lynx just sitting on a rock watching the boats go by.  I have been up here a long time but this is a first for me. 

Lynx spotted on Sag Lake 7/12/12

We had a great day!

Tom & Terry



Ed with 2 nice trout



Wayne's trout was another one over 10 lbs!


Remember what they say, "A bad day fishing is better that a good day at work!"  We still have room for the summer so give us a call.  1-800-552-6351.   Tom & Terry

OK.  I know it has been awhile since my last post.  So here is an update on what is and has happen at Loon Lake Lodge in the last couple of months.

• Spring did come and the ice went out early.  The main lake was ice free by March 23rd!!
• It was warmer in March than it was in April.
• We opened on May 1st and our first guests were runners in the Ham half marithon.
• Fishing season opened mid May but because of the early ice out fish were in different spots.
• It was dry and the lake was low until Memorial weekend.  Then it started to rain and hasn't really stopped.
• June has been kind of busy with more people fishing and hiking.
• We cleared the long trail to Bridal Falls and the water is really flowing.

So there you have it.  We are still here and things are moving along.  Just so you know we have openings and we are expecting your call!  1-800-552-6351  Check out the web site for openings and prices -http://www.visitloonlake.com/

Tom & Terry

So with that thought I am posting the last pictures taken from last season showing some fish.  The end of September we had the Quick family reunion and a good time was had by all.  Most of the family lives in southern Florida and the weather was a shock to many of them.  We had some light snow and some thought the end of the world couldn't be far away.





Scott with his bigger Northern



Mike with his Northern




So if you want a chance to catch these fish you need to make your reservation. Give us a call 800-552-6351 or go on the web and check your dates and make your reservation right from our web site.






Fishing in front of the Lodge.

Our neighbor Larry is an avid fisherman.  He gets out as often as he can summer, winter, spring and fall.  Pictured above he is fishing right out in front of the Lodge for lake trout.  So far this winter the fish haven't been cooperating like they should but he will continue to work the lakes.

You can try your own luck at fishing this spring.  Remember spring tends to be the best fishing on Loon Lake.  So give us a call, 1-800-552-6351.   We are running a great early season special at $119/nt.  You can check for openings on our web site and even make your reservation right from the site.

Tom & Terry

This guy was just sitting outside our window enjoying the new snow.

As I have said before we are having a mild winter.  Last week we did get some colder temps - 22 below and last night we got some much needed snow.  As I am writing this 5 snowmobiles just came across the our lake from Gunflint Lake.   So maybe now winter can begin.

With the cancellation of the John Beargrease Sled Dog Race some locals are going to have a shorter race from Devils Track Lake to Popular Lake ending at Trail Center.  There are a number of dog teams in the area and there was a lot of disappointment when the Beargrease couldn't run because of lack of snow.  Most of the problems were down in the Duluth area.  Now with the new snow there should be no problem having just a local race. 

So now after all this talk about winter lets talk about summer!  If you need or want a specific cabin or time this summer it is never too early to call.  Remember you can check dates and make reservations from our web site or give us a call - 1-800-552-6351.

Tom & Terry

Looking out the Shack window

Well last night we were at 21 below zero!!!  That should add to the ice thickness.  It can't happen soon enough because Gunflint Lake and Loon Lake are two of the favorite lake trout lakse in the area.  Both are easy for people to get to and year in and year out people have success.  Up to this point we haven't seen fishermen pushing their luck and that is a good thing.  The smaller lakes have had good ice covering but with Gunflint and Loon both over 200 feet deep it just takes longer and the warmer than normal temps haven't helped.  Now if we can just get a good snow storm.

Tom & Terry

For only the second time in its 30 year history the John Beargrease Sled Dog Race has been cancelled.  The winter has been very mild to this point and there just wasn't enough snow on the trails to have a safe race for the dogs and the drivers. 

The race runs almost 500 miles from Duluth to just past Gunflint Lake and back.  It is the longest race in the lower 48 states and has been well attended by the top teams in the country.  So if that is your thing you will have to wait another year. 

Tom & Terry

Tom & Terry