Fished the mines numerous times over the years. Blue is the ticket for rainbows. Alot of the locals fish right from shore at the Pennington access. Pennington has a very nice paved access and is connected to six other mines by channels.These mines have a variety of species, Northerns the length of canoe paddles, large panfish too. Huntington feigh mine has browns in it with a portage access right by the pennington access. You can drop larger boats in it to but fill up with gas as you can get really lost back in there, the area is/was very popular for OHV traffic and four wheel drive is advised.
There is a bait shop on the south side of crosby on 210 heading west to Brainerd, they can supply you with loads of info, maps and bait.
Love those trout on the Barby.