Lake Ore-be-gone

By order of the City Council, the City of Gilbert has closed the beach located on Lake Ore-Be-Gone due to a significant drop in water level. As a result, the shoreline has receded and there is now a dangerous 30-foot drop-off where the shore line meets the water. The beach will remain closed until a safe water level returns. The City will re-open and staff Sparta Beach with lifeguards in early to mid June. Sherwood Forest Campground remains open as does the boat landing at Lake Ore-Be-Gone. The City is in the process of establishing a second boat landing on the east side of Lake Ore-Be-Gone.

Gary Mackley

City Clerk-Treasury

This reclaimed mine pit has become a modern "Mecca" for water skiers, fishermen swimmers and scuba divers. This huge mine pit lake spans over 140 acres. The lake includes boat landing, a swimming beach area, changing rooms, large parking area, a pavilion, and even a fish cleaning hut to clean your days catch.

Even if you are not into the water recreations that Lake Ore-be-Gone has to offer, the scenic view is worth the trip. This lake is not only visited by people- but often a gathering place for our state bird the Loon. What a wonderful sound to begin or end the day by. Nature at her best!

Lake Ore-be-Gone has become a "scuba divers" haven. With the donations and promotion of a local dive shop, the lake is the place to dive. Tall Pine Scuba has developed a two level training area and recreational dive area for all to enjoy. Tall Pine Scuba has sunk several cleaned and prepared items for divers to explore
You may contact Tall Pine Scuba through their web site: http:/www.tallpinescuba.com

Sherwood Forest Campground is just a short walk away.

Lake Ore-be-gone History

Lake Ore-be gone is the result of natural flooding of three iron ore mines: the Gilbert, the Schley, and the Pettit. Together these mines produced and shipped over 35 million tons of iron ore between 1902 and 1981, making this area a historical landmark in itself. More history can be obtained by a visit to the Iron Range Historical Society located in the old Gilbert City Hall.

In 19-- the City of Gilbert and it's citizens became involved in a "Reclamation Project" and reclaimed the now Lake Ore-be-gone. Adding boat landings, docks, sandy beach swimming area and much more for all to enjoy. A community wide contest was held to name the new Lake. Ken Asselin of Gilbert submitted the reflective name of "Lake Ore-be-gone". Though the ore may be gone-- the life of the lake lives on!!

Don't forget to visit the Iron Range Historical Society, located in the old City Hall, downtown of Gilbert, to learn more about our local or area history. It is well worth the trip!

Hall of Fame Fish

Click on picture for larger view.

Yes, there are Northern Pike in Lake Ore-Be-Gone! And big ones, too! The proof is now on display in Hayward, Wisconsin, at the National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame. Donald C. Olson from Virginia, Minnesota, caught a record-setting Northern Pike in Lake Ore-Be-Gone this past September, (9/04/01),using two-pound Tippet Line. Donald Olson is a fly-fisherman.
Donald Olson travels frequently to various lakes outside this area to pursue record catches in fly-fishing. "I was really happy to have this record catch (the Northern Pike) come out of Lake Ore-Be-Gone", Olson said, "since it's in our local area. It's practically in my backyard."

The Northern Pike weighted in at 20 pounds 7 ounces; length is 46 inches; girth is 19 inches.
A photo of Donald Olson and his record-setting fish is on display at the Museum Records Gallery of the National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame in Hayward, Wisconsin.
** Story and picture compliments of Gilbert Herald Newspaper.

Not just Northern Pike in Lake Ore-be-Gone

Lake Ore-be-Gone not only has large Northern Pike, but contains large Walleye fish as well !!

Laurie Trunzo was afraid she would lose the fish on the end of her line when it ran under the boat. It took Laurie and her husband Jerry over 15 minutes to land the fish. She was using 10 pound test line on a ultra light reel. The walleye was 12# 8 oz.; 33 " and caught in 22 feet of water on July 6, 1998.
Just 20 days later Jerry caught a 12# ; 31 3/4" walleye. Jerry was using 6# test and caught his fish in 26feet of water.
The Trunzo's had both fish mounted.

Louis Schmidt caught his prize walleye on July 11, 1998. The fish weighted out at 10# 8 oz.

Ken Asselin could not believe he had a fish on his line, after catching a few trees. Then he realized there was a actual fish on his line instead of another tree- but never dreamt it was going to be as big as it was. Ken's fish weighed in at 11#, caught in 25-30 feet of water on July 19, 1998.
What a nice surprise for the gentleman that named the Lake a decade ago.

Thank You, Ken Asselin for providing us with the pictures and articles from Mesabi Daily News.

If you have any pictures of your catches from Lake Ore-be-Gone and would like to feature them on the website , please contact the webmaster.