If hooking a big walleye while staying at Garden Lake Resort is the plan, spring is generally considered the time to go. While walleye are rather active and generally much easier to find during the spring, it still takes some tactics to reel them in. If the plan is to drop a line, hook a fish and go home happy within a few minutes, chances are disappointment will ensue.

Although springtime is the favorite for walleye fishing, anglers need to keep a few things in mind. Everything from actual weather conditions to location and bait can impact the outcome of a fishing trip. The trick is really gauging the action carefully before picking a spot to stick in.

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With an early spring in Ely, what a great time to shed hunt in the Garden Lake wintering area for deer!

Shed hunting can be nearly as fun as deer hunting and it gives you an excuse to hit the woods. Finding a shed off a hit list buck will certainly get your blood pumping. Knowing a good buck, or one with potential made it through the season can raise the excitement for next season. Whether you’re an experienced shed hunter or a beginner, there are some shed hunting tips that should make your hunt more successful.

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WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today announced that gray wolf populations in the Great Lakes region have recovered and no longer require the protection of the Endangered Species Act.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is publishing a final rule in the Federal Register removing wolves in Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin, and in portions of adjoining states, from the list of endangered and threatened wildlife and plants.

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The Common Redpoll is a circumpolar denizen of the taiga and tundra of the high arctic. They range across the northern reaches of North America, Europe, and Russia. Redpolls are from 5 to 5.5 inches long with a wingspan of 8.25 to 8.75 inches. They are characterized by their red cap, black chin, reddish wash on the breast, pink rump, somewhat forked tail, whitish under parts and overall brownish streaking. Weights range from 13 to 14 grams (0.5 ounce). Redpolls live in high Arctic regions where winter darkness lasts up to 6 months and temperatures plunge well below freezing. Research has shown that Redpolls are able to survive temperatures down to minus 67 degrees C (89 degrees F below zero).    How do these little birds survive these harsh conditions? Redpolls have anatomical, physiological and behavioral adaptations that enable them to survive and to thrive in these harsh winter conditions.        One of the most important anatomical adaptations that allow Redpolls to thrive in severe cold weather is their esophageal diverticulum, a partially bi-lobed pocket situated in their neck. Redpolls use the esophageal diverticulum to store seeds, especially before nightfall or before a storm. The extra seeds allow them to “feed” while sheltering from the cold. The birds knock seeds from trees, gather the seeds from the ground and store them in the esophageal diverticulum. They then fly to a sheltered spot where they can regurgitate, shell, and consume the seeds at leisure while protected from predators and harsh weather conditions. Behavioral adaptations are also important. Redpolls, as do other species of birds, can fluff their contour feathers to trap layers of air to insulate their body and greatly reduce heat loss. Redpolls will sometimes burrow into the snow to escape especially cold weather.

With the mild winter at Garden Lake, it has been noted that their conversations while eating black oil sunflower seeds is how nice it is to be south in the warm temperatures while on Vacation!

Snow Fleas

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If you enjoy the winter and all the activities of being out in the elements, do not miss the Ely Winter Festival! This is a 10 day event starting February 2, 2012 and ending on February 12, 2012. The focal point of this event is in Whiteside Park where the snow carving takes place. Professional carvers travel from far and wide to take part in this symposium. You will be amazed and impressed as they turn large block of snow into living forms for your pleasure! There is also an amateur showing of smaller blocks with upcoming professional carvers. Mix this in with food, art walks, dancing, and community events and you will have a great winter vacation in Ely. For more information go to www.ely.org  and stay at Garden Lake Resort www.gardenlakeresort.com while attending this unique Winter Festival! 855-365-5498

 Winter recreation in Ely offers many opportunities but none as exciting as a Day with the Dogs! Mushing down a trail or on the lake, offer amazing sights and sounds in an incredibly beautiful environment, as the dogs work together in perfect rhythm with you in control! You can just ride or mush, fish or snack, you decide. There are half day and full day trips with options of where you can go and what you can do. Bring your own warm winter gear or be totally outfitted for all your needs. Remember to book early and stay at Garden Lake Resort as your base winter lodging location. Let us help you set up your trip and suggest other activities for you as well. Experience the opportunity of a lifetime and check this one off your bucket list!

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As Garden Resort ends 2011, we would like to thank all of you who have been faithful guests for many years! It has been great to also meet so many of you for the first time in 2011. We have had a busy year at Garden Lake with record bookings for our 35 years in business! We are looking forward to 2012 and anxious to see you all again. There will be some changes and improvements by this summer to make your stay with us more enjoyable. Much happened this year in Ely and the big news item was the fire burning 100,000 acres in the BWCAW to the East and South of Garden Lake. There was no impact for us regarding the fire and the winds were in our favour with almost no smoke in the Ely area. We are thankful that the winds did not move the fire in our direction. Ely continues to be a draw for many who are looking for a vacation change and unique experience. There are few places left to visit like Ely and we are thankful to live here and have you as our guests all year round! Come and visit us this Winter! You will be glad you did! Have a great 2012 and a blessed Christmas!

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Here at Garden Lake we not only have walleyes but we have whale-eyes as well. When my son Jesse was small he would call the walleyes, whale-eyes, which always got a laugh! During this time of the year as the temperatures go into the single numbers and there is little snow on the newly frozen lake, there are strange sounds that we hear at night, even in the lodge. There is a groaning, thumping, and almost whale sounding noise that is heard as the lake begins to make ice. Because of the lack of heavy snow on the ice, there is little insulation from the cold temps. As the ice builds, there are cracking sounds from the pressure of the ice expansion, which when standing on the ice, is an exciting experience. Maybe all the thumping and cracking and groaning are the whales trying to come up for a breath of clean Garden Lake air! Maybe next spring and summer when you visit Garden Lake Resort and are out fishing, you might just hook a Whale-eye! That may be the biggest fish story you will ever tell to your friends. Happy Holidays from Garden Lake Resort to you all!

It is a much quieter time now in the surrounding area of Ely. As the seasons change so does the pace. What a great time to catch up on all those projects or just sit back and take a breath from the busy summer and fall. The fishing rods have been exchanged for guns, and the boats for snowmobiles. Shops and stores have cut back their hours prior to the holidays, and life is very unique and laid back in Ely. If you like to vacation when the crowds are gone and the activities are less, this is the time to come to Ely! Winter lodging at Garden Lake Resort is comfortable and warm. Bring a book, a puzzle, or a project and hang out in front of the fireplace at the most affordable prices of the year. When in Ely, why not shop for those special gifts and hard to please friends and family. You can always find something special and different in Ely. You will be glad you did!