Lake Michigan trib fish?

Yeah, it slammed a PM. Hopefully, it’s still swimming where I released him. I hope others have a chance to catch it, ’cause they are pretty rare.

Bottom ones are all tigers.

To get back to the original point, I HIGHLY DOUBT that special regs have had a significant impact on the number of trout fishermen out there. Mark, you cite Wisconsin data. I don’t know if there is a similar decline in trout stamp sales in Minnesota. These things seem to change year to year, whether it’s deer licenses or whatever.

I would add to the rant I made two night ago by saying that many of the fisheries in this state have actually improved over the past 20 years due to changing angler ethics, special regs, and on some waters (rivers), improved water quality.

There has NEVER been a better time to fish for muskies in Minnesota than today. Trout fishing in the SE is better now than it was in the 1970’s, and has hardly changed on the North Shore.

Frankly, if there ARE fewer trout anglers on the water today, then so be it. There still are times when some streams get CROWDED. Just release all your big fish (that aren’t bleeding), and keep a bunch for the pan from those streams that need thinning.

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I am not looking for anyone to give me their hot spot locations but it would be nice to hear how different streams are doing. Nothing worse than driving an hour plus to a stream for it to be unfishable!! is that even a word? I like to fish two new streams a year and it disappointing to drive a great distance to a location found on the trout map and find it to be poor quality. Gas is still not cheap to be wasting at least not for me.

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Winkels, I think you could get some of that info by sending some of the posters here a PM. Some stuff just doesn’t belong on the internet, IMO. I also love to check out new streams every year, and I live a long way from some of my favorite streams in the SE part of the state. Some explorations of new water are a waste of time, while others are outstanding.

Scudly, you just eloquently described why so many trout anglers don’t share their spots. Thanks, buddy!

Yeah, the regs can be a bit complex and confusing at times, but it has gotten that way for many species, as well as for hunting. In terms of fishing, fisheries managers are trying to maximize the potential of specific streams and lakes.

I fish out west once in a while. The regs are pretty complex there too, if not more so. Better keep a copy of the current regs handy.

I certainly don’t want to come across as stuck up, because I know that plenty of people out there, including some “trouters”, are. I’ve shared a lot of information with folks, especially those taking kids, and have received some in return. I wrote my comments last night with a couple of drinks under the belt, and may have sounded a bit harsh, but I think they are at least on the right track.

Trout streams are a bit different than most other fisheries because there are WAY fewer of them than warmwater streams and lakes, and because most are small. Ever try to fish a small stream with a group of people? No one catches many fish.

I’ve always been leery about spreading too much info about specific fishing spots on the internet for obvious reasons. I had a similar discussion with a guy from out-of-state recently — he couldn’t see why I didn’t share specifics, but when the topic turned to turkey hunting, he admitted that he would NEVER share his turkey haven.

The bone is already out there in the form of the fine publications the DNR has issued during the past few years. There are maps, species info, public land and easement info…what more could you want? I’ve walked into many of those streams and caught fish almost every time.

I’m with you, fanatic. I only share locations with people that I can trust to have a good conservation ethic and who can keep their mouths shut. Flapping your mouth to the masses on the internet only leads to degraded fisheries, especially when you are talking about a pretty limited resource.

I think trout fishermen are naturally secretive because when it comes to the big fish that many of us are after, it’s a low numbers game. How many 20-inch stream trout do you catch in a year, even if you fish a lot?

Fishing for stream trout also is a pretty solitary activity. Sure, you might go with a buddy, but when you get to the stream you will part ways. It’s not a group activity, unless you enjoy catching no fish.

Any decrease in the number of trout anglers probably reflects a declining interest in outdoor activities in general, as fewer young people are getting into hunting and fishing. Lots of distractions out there. Anything that takes skill or effort to learn (fishing small streams requires both)is bypassed by a generation that wants immediate gratification.

I would add that a decrease in the overall physical fitness and tolerance of discomfort of Americans also comes into play. Nimbly sneeking along a stream at night while getting bitten by mosquitoes takes some grit, as does sitting in a deer-stand for hours in sub-zero cold.

Lastly, most Americans live in big cities. Just getting the hell out of Dodge on a Friday night is a nightmare in itself. No wonder there are fewer folks on the water.

Any rainbow stocked above the barrier falls, either fingerling or fry, is a steelhead. Without these stockings there would barely be enough steelhead for a fishery to even exist, as reproduction on these short, steep North Shore streams is not that great, and highly variable. A minimum size rule of 16 inches is in place for those folks who want to keep a fin-clipped steelhead from Lake Superior on streams below the barrier falls. Unclipped, wild fish are catch and release only. Few people keep any steelhead these days.

Any rainbow (steelhead) caught above the barrier falls must be released.

“Loopers” are Kamloops rainbows from British Columbia stock, which are stocked in Lake Superior to provide a near-shore, put-and-take fishery — very popular with locals in spring on the lower shore (Duluth to Two Harbors).

Thanks for posting this great story and photos!

Being from Minnesota, I say stick it to the tourists, so they can contribute more to the local economy…

Mark, have you tried Maxima lines? They are very tough and abrasion-resistant. The standard for steelheading up here is 8 LB Maxima. If it’s good enough for big steelies on a raging river, it’s good enough for stream trout anywhere. The heavier tests do get a bit stiff though, and like any line, watch for nicks.

I’m glad Obama at least tried fly-fishing. It can be pretty intimidating at first, and few people would want to try it for the first time with anyone watching, especially the whole world.

Seems like a lot of folks here don’t like the guy. I have yet to see any kind of legislation banning guns or making it cost-prohibitive to buy ammo. Of course the current health care situation doesn’t need a fix. Increase insurance premiums 10 to 20 percent per year, and cancel the policies of those who get sick or give birth to a disabled child. Yup, that’s what’s best for the American people…

Anyone who thinks that a 28-inch stream trout is not a huge fish, and likely a lifetime trophy, either doesn’t fish or is just flapping his mouth to hear himself speak. I have caught a fair number of trout over 28 inches, but NEVER in a stream. Congratulations on a wonderful catch!

Hey scudly, nice to see you on a new forum. I enjoyed your post on big trout techniques, but would say my preference for stream trout is to skip the braided line and stick with mono. I’m a big fan of braided, but I do a LOT of deep jigging for lake trout where line stretch is a bad thing.

For big stream trout I believe a medium action rod with a spinning reel loaded with 6 lb mono is a powerful tool.

If you use a medium weight rod and mono (4 or 6 lb test) you have enough beef to set the hook, but not so much that you rip it from the fish. I have an ultralight rod I have used for small stream spinning, but with stretchy 4 lb mono, I lose a lot of fish due to the combo of line stretch and “soft” rod.

Good luck fishing tonight!