2017 Trout Opener

last updated January 4, 2017
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Viewing 13 posts - 1 through 13 (of 13 total)
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  • January 4, 2017 at 4:51 pm #133006
    lurkingwalter
    Participant

      Location: Thief River Falls
      Member Since: Mar 2013
      Posts: 345

      Who all is planning on heading out for winter trout opener? I would like to try it this year. what are your favorite baits/presentations for winter trout? I will be targeting rainbows.

      January 10, 2017 at 3:22 pm #693870
      kooshnitz
      Participant

        Location: Chisholm, MN
        Member Since: Jan 2017
        Posts: 9

        I think I will be out this weekend as well. I usually use bucktail and cisco tail. Drill lots of holes and move around until I mark some. thinking of headed up to Ely area one day.

        January 10, 2017 at 3:46 pm #693863
        lurkingwalter
        Participant

          Location: Thief River Falls
          Member Since: Mar 2013
          Posts: 345

          I will be targeting rainbows. You use a bucktail an cisco tail for lake trout I am guessing correct?

          I have heard from a couple guys that a common tactic is a jigging spoon with wax worms for rainbows in the winter. can anyone else attest to that?

          January 10, 2017 at 4:50 pm #693869
          AutumnFever
          Participant

            Member Since: Dec 2013
            Posts: 263

            Not sure for me as I don’t believe there is a season for the Crosby area this year.

            January 10, 2017 at 6:34 pm #693865
            Bobb-o
            Participant

              Location: Fosston, Mn
              Member Since: May 2004
              Posts: 2001

              Not sure where you got that info? Just checked the DNR website and it says Allen and Pleasant are the only lakes closed in Crow Wing County.

              Remember, the most important thing you can give is your time.
              January 10, 2017 at 6:54 pm #693864
              lurkingwalter
              Participant

                Location: Thief River Falls
                Member Since: Mar 2013
                Posts: 345

                In my searches, I have heard multiple reports of trout being caught in 7-12 feet in the winter. Is this true of most lakes?

                If so, im glad I did some research because I was planning on starting in 40-50 feet which is where I have caught them in the summer.

                January 10, 2017 at 7:21 pm #693868
                KyleT
                Participant

                  Member Since: Jan 2017
                  Posts: 2

                  I think it really depends on the type of trout you’re fishing. Rainbows I’ve caught in quite a variety of depths from 5 feet to 45 feet. The biggest thing seems to just be willing to drill lots of holes until you find them and to keep that bait moving. They’ll chase the bait all the way to the ice hole. I’ve even have them hit the transducer on the vexilar. Buckshots and similar small spoons tipped with waxworms have always worked well for us.

                  January 10, 2017 at 7:52 pm #693867
                  AutumnFever
                  Participant

                    Member Since: Dec 2013
                    Posts: 263

                    Bobb-o wrote:
                    Not sure where you got that info? Just checked the DNR website and it says Allen and Pleasant are the only lakes closed in Crow Wing County.

                    After further review I didn’t read it right and you are correct

                    January 11, 2017 at 4:07 am #693862
                    Bobb-o
                    Participant

                      Location: Fosston, Mn
                      Member Since: May 2004
                      Posts: 2001

                      AutumnFever wrote:

                      Bobb-o wrote:
                      Not sure where you got that info? Just checked the DNR website and it says Allen and Pleasant are the only lakes closed in Crow Wing County.

                      After further review I didn’t read it right and you are correct

                      You had me worried as I will be down there this weekend chasing them on the pits, had to look it up!!

                      Remember, the most important thing you can give is your time.
                      January 11, 2017 at 10:34 am #693859
                      zachd
                      Participant

                        Member Since: Oct 2015
                        Posts: 340

                        Rainbows I usually set up from 4fow to 10fow arrive early before light and drill your holes let everything settle and I usually sight fish them.. Many times I have caught them jigging a few inches below the hole.

                        January 11, 2017 at 2:36 pm #693866
                        lurkingwalter
                        Participant

                          Location: Thief River Falls
                          Member Since: Mar 2013
                          Posts: 345

                          ok thanks for the info! I was hoping I could catch them out deep with my vexilar but I guess we will just post up in the shallows for the first couple hours.

                          January 11, 2017 at 3:49 pm #693860
                          Reinhard
                          Participant

                            Location: andover
                            Member Since: May 2010
                            Posts: 4896

                            Zachd had it right about rainbows. If you fishing for rainbows, your best bet is the shallows. I fish in less than 10 feet most of the time. I have caught them in deep water but they are in the top 10 feet under the ice and often just under the ice. Brook trout and splake are also found in the shallows during hard water which has been my experience in the Arrowhead reagion of stream trout lakes.

                            I like using small spoons with minnow heads, panfish jigs with euro larva or waxies, or sometimes just a small hook with just one waxie when things are slow. Minnows are not allowed in designated trout waters and you do need a trout stamp to fish these lakes. Non designated trout lakes allow the use of live bait and a trout stamp is needed in order to keep trout. I fish Grindstone a lot and that is a non designated trout lake. I also have caught brown trout in the shallower water as well. I’ve caught my biggest while using a tip up with a shiner [non designated trout lake]. good luck.

                            http://www.sausageheavenoutdoors.com

                            Die young as old as possible.

                            January 11, 2017 at 4:40 pm #693861
                            AutumnFever
                            Participant

                              Member Since: Dec 2013
                              Posts: 263

                              Bobb-o wrote:

                              AutumnFever wrote:

                              Bobb-o wrote:
                              Not sure where you got that info? Just checked the DNR website and it says Allen and Pleasant are the only lakes closed in Crow Wing County.

                              After further review I didn’t read it right and you are correct

                              You had me worried as I will be down there this weekend chasing them on the pits, had to look it up!!

                              I will try to maybe make a go at it this weekend also

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