Ice fishing for rainbows in MN

I was re-watching last year’s episode where James and John were fishing for rainbows and it really got me motivated to try it! My problem is I have no idea where to start. I have plenty of spoons/rods to get the job done, but I don’t really live anywhere near a good trout lake. If I was able to try this it would probably be a one time chance later this winter.

I’ve been looking through the DNR’s list of trout lakes:
http://dnr.state.mn.us/fishing/trout_lakes/list.html

This is helpful in finding out that a lake holds rainbows, but how much can be learned from the survey information? For instance, I see lakes that are stocked annually with trout, but show less than 1 fish per gillnet. Should I be looking at the gillnet catch rates? Are gillnets even effective for trout in those deep clear lakes? Is it better to look at the size distribution?

I know in the episode with John Marshall it looked like they walked out on the lake, but I wouldn’t be surprised if that was a private lake or something. They mentioned they were near Red Lake, but it doesn’t look like there are a ton of lakes listed on that DNR website near Red. A lot of the trout lakes I’ve found appear to be pretty small lakes, but accessibility is a concern. Will I need a snowmobile? I have no problem hoofing it to a spot on a <100 acre lake, but if there’s a mile walk through the woods to get there then that’s a different story.

There are some lakes on the red lake Indian reservation that you must hire a guide to fish. As far as other lakes in the area not on the reservation, I wouldn’t know.

Mainly these stream trout lakes are called put-and-take lakes. The DNR stocks them heavily near the opener, and we cone and take them. There are a few right in the twin cities. Cenaiko, square and a couple others.

I fished Cenaiko lake I fished religiously on the spring and winter openers. After opener, 3/4 of the fish are gone.

I’m typing on my cell right now, but in can provide a little more insight when I get home if you wish.

Thanks for the info! I’m familiar with those metro-ish lakes, I’ve always avoided trying to fish opener on courthouse for obvious reasons. Are the lakes further north the same though as far as numbers of surviving fish?

Are there no lakes that support reproduction of stream trout?

According to the book “Fly Fishing Minnesota’s Trout Lakes”by John Hunt, stream Trout will try and reproduce in lakes but aren’t successful. It is literally put-and-take.

cant help out on what lakes to fish since im from Utah, but most our fishing out here is trout in fact i think its about 85% trout fishing here. so when it comes time i can point you in the way to be successful.

philtickelson wrote:

I was re-watching last year’s episode where James and John were fishing for rainbows and it really got me motivated to try it! My problem is I have no idea where to start. I have plenty of spoons/rods to get the job done, but I don’t really live anywhere near a good trout lake. If I was able to try this it would probably be a one time chance later this winter.

I’ve been looking through the DNR’s list of trout lakes:

http://dnr.state.mn.us/fishing/trout_lakes/list.html

This is helpful in finding out that a lake holds rainbows, but how much can be learned from the survey information? For instance, I see lakes that are stocked annually with trout, but show less than 1 fish per gillnet. Should I be looking at the gillnet catch rates? Are gillnets even effective for trout in those deep clear lakes? Is it better to look at the size distribution?

I know in the episode with John Marshall it looked like they walked out on the lake, but I wouldn’t be surprised if that was a private lake or something. They mentioned they were near Red Lake, but it doesn’t look like there are a ton of lakes listed on that DNR website near Red. A lot of the trout lakes I’ve found appear to be pretty small lakes, but accessibility is a concern. Will I need a snowmobile? I have no problem hoofing it to a spot on a <100 acre lake, but if there’s a mile walk through the woods to get there then that’s a different story.

I have been searching for this episode in the archives but can’t seem to find it.
Can someone who knows where to find it either send me a link or point me in the right direction?
Thanks!

philtickelson wrote:

Thanks for the info! I’m familiar with those metro-ish lakes, I’ve always avoided trying to fish opener on courthouse for obvious reasons. Are the lakes further north the same though as far as numbers of surviving fish?

Are there no lakes that support reproduction of stream trout?

No. In fact, the DNR chooses lakes that cannot support it. Trout need cool running water like a cool stream in order to reproduce.

I know there are lakes an hour or two north of here but there are several that are actually closed to fishing in the winter. Not sure why. Ely are has dozens of these lakes but most are best accessed by snowmobile.

There is a book that the DNR puts out that lists all of the designated trout lakes. I’ll see if I can find it.

Check out Grindstone lake near Sandstone. I usually go there a couple times in the winter. It actually has bows, browns and lakers. It’s not a designated trout lake so you can use 2 lines and live minnows.

This should help:

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/fishing/trout_lakes/list.html

We try to fish Leo on the gunflint atleast twice a year. Once in the summer and atleast once on the ice. Lake finder should be your friend.

#1 best trout lake is Bad Medicine lake near itasca state park. There are big walleye in there as well.

I grew up around Grindstone, I usually try not to advertise it as a good trout fishing lake, because it really was. . about ten years ago. But now there is not much to hide. I have hit it up the last three years, it simply is not the trout lake it was years ago. I used to catch (and release) plenty of trout in there when I was in High School, mostly bows. I also lived in Grand Rapids from 2008-2011, there are plenty of trout to be caught in Itasca, and every bordering county up there. My advice is get up there around trout opener, do some homework, and you will find some trout without too much trouble. I make it up there each winter around opener and it hasn’t disappointed. My favorite part of ice fishing trout is sight fishing, nothing like seeing them come out of nowhere, eat your bait, and spit it out before you know what happened! I also like it when I have to drag my sled a half mile to get to the lake, only to find I have it to myself. Now I am excited!

Edit: my goto baits are fly fishing nymphs tipped with a waxie, have caught them on fatheads tho too. .

The episode Phil was referring to was in season7 2 years ago, that should make it easier to find. As for Ely area stream trout, there are dozens of lakes here loaded with them. Like mentioned some are best accessed by snowmobile or ATV but many are easily walked to. If you’re ever interested in giving it a try let me know.

biggill wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>PhilTickelson wrote:</div>
Thanks for the info! I’m familiar with those metro-ish lakes, I’ve always avoided trying to fish opener on courthouse for obvious reasons. Are the lakes further north the same though as far as numbers of surviving fish?

Are there no lakes that support reproduction of stream trout?

No. In fact, the DNR chooses lakes that cannot suppiort it. Trout need cool running water like a cool stream in order to reproduce.

I know there are lakes an hour or two north of here but there are several that are actually closed to fishing in the winter. Not sure why. Ely are has dozens of these lakes but most are best accessed by snowmobile.

There is a book that the DNR puts out that lists all of the designated trout lakes. I’ll see if I can find it.

Check out Grindstone lake near Sandstone. I usually go there a couple times in the winter. It actually has bows, browns and lakers. It’s not a designated trout lake so you can use 2 lines and live minnows.

Here’s a question: I realize Grindstone is not a designated trout lake but can you harvest trout of any kind (including lakers) in MN without a trout stamp? This has always been ambiguous to me. It’s obvious on designated trout lakes and streams where a stamp is required to fish. I was on Grindstone on winter opener a few years ago and a CO was checking licenses but left before he checked mine.

I take it as you can fish Grindstone without a trout license, but cannot “harvest” trout. You can fish for perch, accidentally catch a trout, but without a trout stamp, you must then immediately return it to the water, no questions asked. Don’t know if this was answer you wee looking for

smackemup wrote:

I take it as you can fish Grindstone without a trout license, but cannot “harvest” trout. You can fish for perch, accidentally catch a trout, but without a trout stamp, you must then immediately return it to the water, no questions asked. Don’t know if this was answer you wee looking for

You are correct. You can actually fish for them, you just can’t posses them.

Thanks for all the tips guys, I have some more homework to do :).

Ben, I might be contacting you later this winter as well.

Make sure you read the regs. There are a bunch of counties where you can’t fish for trout in the witner. I know Cass is one of them.