Jump to content
  • GUESTS

    If You  want access  to member only forums on FM, You will need to Sign-in or  Sign-Up now .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member.

Winter Opener


WxGuy

Recommended Posts

I got out today with a group of friends for the SE MN Winter Trout Season opener. Air temp was 3, wind chill was about -15 to -20, and the water temp was around 38.

Fished for a couple hours, landed 4 fish with the largest about 10". Since it was so cold I fished just one fly, a size 14 orange scud with a split shot about 6" above the fly...when it stayed there. No midges to be seen, but I heard there were a few coming off closer to some springs.

Managed to keep all my fingers, but couldn't feel them by the time we were done. Still thawing out, but got to feed a craving. smile.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You are a really die hard fisherman for going out today. I really wanted to but with that -15 wind chill I was happy sitting next to the fireplace watching some college football.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You know it's winter trout season when you're tempted to take a swim in the stream to get warmed up! wink.gif

I was ice fishing today (a dozen decent sunfish C&Rd), but I did think about going after trout and decided against it.

Kudos to you for getting out an braving the cold, and at least you caught a few. It's supposed to be around 40 degrees this weekend and if that holds true there will most likely be more guys getting out after stream trout, with a good chance that I'll be one of 'em.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Nice work, its usually brutal, but in a sick way satisfying to get out on one of those 'tough guy' days. I know very well the itch you were scratching, and mine is getting pretty bad. We've got a warm spell coming, so maybe we'll be able to pull out the fly rods up here soon too. We'll see I guess, worse case its only three months till steelie season smirk.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I couldn't get out to fish, but I did take my daughter's dog for a walk along a western WI trout stream on New Year's Eve day. It was warmer that day than on the first and I did see a few rising fish, although with the flat, gray skies and my weak vision I couldn't see to what they were rising. It was a great sight to see on the last day of the year.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Randy, you're more of a diehard than the rest of us. I did pull out the Griffin vise last week, so at least I'm thinking trout.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm typically not that hard-core at all, but it was the opener after all, and it turned out to be pretty cathartic going out in such miserably cold weather.

Despite not shaking the shivers until the next day, it was well worth it. I can wait for warmer weather now... \:\)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.


  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • mulefarm
      With the early ice out, how is the curlyleaf pondweed doing?
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the south end...   The big basin, otherwise known as Big Traverse Bay, is ice free.  Zippel Bay and Four Mile Bay are ice free as well.  Everything is shaping up nicely for the MN Fishing Opener on May 11th. With the walleye / sauger season currently closed, most anglers are targeting sturgeon and pike.  Some sturgeon anglers are fishing at the mouth of the Rainy River, but most sturgeon are targeted in Four Mile Bay or the Rainy River.  Hence, pike are the targeted species on the south shore and various bays currently.   Pike fishing this time of year is a unique opportunity, as LOW is border water with Canada, the pike season is open year round. The limit is 3 pike per day with one being able to be more than 40 inches. All fish 30 - 40 inches must be released. Back bays hold pike as they go through the various stages of the spawn.  Deadbait under a bobber, spinners, spoons and shallow diving crankbaits are all viable options.   Four Mile Bay, Bostic Bay and Zippel Bay are all small water and boats of various sizes work well. On the Rainy River...  Great news this week as we learned sturgeon will not be placed on the endangered species list by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.     The organization had to make a decision by June 30 and listing sturgeon could have ended sturgeon fishing.  Thankfully, after looking at the many success stories across the nation, including LOW and the Rainy River, sturgeon fishing and successful sturgeon management continues.   A good week sturgeon fishing on the Rainy River.  Speaking to some sturgeon aficionados, fishing will actually get even better as water temps rise.     Four Mile Bay at the mouth of the Rainy River near the Wheeler's Point Boat Ramp is still producing good numbers of fish, as are various holes along the 42 miles of navigable Rainy River from the mouth to Birchdale.   The sturgeon season continues through May 15th and resumes again July 1st.   Oct 1 - April 23, Catch and Release April 24 - May 7, Harvest Season May 8 - May 15, Catch and Release May 16 - June 30, Sturgeon Fishing Closed July 1 - Sep 30, Harvest Season If you fish during the sturgeon harvest season and you want to keep a sturgeon, you must purchase a sturgeon tag for $5 prior to fishing.    One sturgeon per calendar year (45 - 50" inclusive, or over 75"). Most sturgeon anglers are either a glob of crawlers or a combo of crawlers and frozen emerald shiners on a sturgeon rig, which is an 18" leader with a 4/0 circle hook combined with a no roll sinker.  Local bait shops have all of the gear and bait. Up at the NW Angle...  A few spots with rotten ice, but as a rule, most of the Angle is showing off open water.  In these parts, most are looking ahead to the MN Fishing Opener.  Based on late ice fishing success, it should be a good one.  
    • leech~~
      Nice fish. I moved to the Sartell area last summer and just thought it was windy like this everyday up here? 🤭
    • Rick G
      Crazy windy again today.... This is has been the norm this spring. Between the wind and the cold fronts, fishing has been more challenging for me than most years.  Panfish have been moving in and out of the shallows quite a bit. One day they are up in the slop, the next they are out relating to cabbage or the newly sprouting lilly pads.  Today eye guy and I found them in 4-5 ft of water, hanging close to any tree branches that happened to be laying in the water.  Bigger fish were liking a 1/32 head and a Bobby Garland baby shad.   Highlight of the day way this healthy 15incher
    • monstermoose78
    • monstermoose78
      As I typed that here came a hen.  IMG_7032.mov   IMG_7032.mov
    • monstermoose78
      So far this morning nothing but non turkeys. 
    • monstermoose78
      Well yesterday I got a little excited and let a turkey get to close and I hit the blind!!
    • smurfy
      good......you?? living the dream..in my basement playing internet thug right now!!!!!! 🤣 working on getting the boat ready.......bought a new cheatmaster locator for the boat so working on that.   waiting for warmer weather to start my garden!!!
    • monstermoose78
      How is everyone doing? Holy moly it’s chilly this morning I stayed in bed and will hunt later today when it warms up.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.