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You can drive to the portage with trucks now.

You have to park and walk into Trout Lake at ALL times.

Cliff

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Maybe the question was: Can you drive across Vermilion to the Trout Lake Portage? My question also. How's the snow/ice situation for driving where there aren't roads plowed?

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You should have no trouble driving just about anywhere on the lake. Just stay out of the "always bad" spots.

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Once you hit the shore of Trout Lake after the portage, it's another mile or so to decent trout water.

As you come to the shore of Trout, you can either bear to the right and stay on the ice by walking the narrows until the lake opens up and deepens, or you can bear a bit left, crossing the first shallow bay and a small strip of land before hitting the main lake. The second option takes you to trout water faster than the first, but if you want to fish the east end of the lake or the eastern narrows you'll want to take the first option.

Look up the Trout Lake map on the DNR Lake Finder here and you'll see what I mean (click on the map for Trout, not Little Trout). The portage from Vermilion to Trout is clearly marked. It's got a couple hills but is pretty easy.

I've walked into Trout in winter half a dozen times. There's LOT of great looking trout structure farther north up the lake, but it hardly ever gets hit in winter because of how much longer a walk it is.

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I suggest that you take the left route across the short land portage.

After crossing the second portage turn right and go to the second point on your right,(about 1 mile). Head out from that point about 300 yards straight North into around 50' to 55' of water. This is the closest good trout spot. I have caught a lot of 5# to 12# fish there over the years.

Live pike suckers on your set lines and rainbows on your jigs works best.

Also got quite a few walleyes there the last time I fished that spot!

Good Fishing!

Cliff

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Cliff, I figured you'd weigh in considering all the years you've walked in and fished Trout.

I've fished that spot you mention with good success. In fact, I believe it was you who told me about it! Thanks again for that, buddy. It was my first trip into Trout, and thanks to you and that spot I brought home two nice fish. grin.gifgrin.gif

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Can't you get into Trout off of the 200 rd? I know you can get darn close to Oriniack lk by sled and then walk in. Looking at the maps, this should also get you close to the north good trout water.

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That would work too...but IMO that is alot of walking. Especially through 6-12 inches of snow on the ground. It would be great if we could use a snowmobile with under 25hp!

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Wonder if you could get a dog sledder to pull a portable into Trout for a reasonable price? Maybe even leave the portable stashed in the weeds for a few weeks? Gotta love all the adventures that are possible in and around Vermilion!

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Hey guys I've fished Trout in the summer with my under 25hp motor. I've often thought about making a winter trip, but was wondering if any type of motorized vehicle is allowed on the lake in winter?

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To my knowledge only outboards of 25hp or less are the only motorized "vehicle" allowed in trout.

Lazy Mike- I might know a guy that could help you out. Hes got the dogs, and goes into the boundary waters a lot (basswood).

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Lazy Mike,

No motors of any type are allowed in the BWCA during the winter. That includes even power augers!

It is illegal to leave your ice shelter in the BWCA overnight hidden. You must be staying there overnight in order to keep the shelter there overnight. You even have to pull the shelter off of the ice at night unless you are in it!

Cliff

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Cliff,

My wife and i were talking about treking into trout for some lakers. My question to you is being you can not use power augers, would a 4" hand be sufficent? I am sure there has to be over 2' of Ice and a 4" would make it so much better for her to drill the holes(LOL). Also can you drive your sled or atv to the lake via the portage or is the portage off limits?

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Swen,

The 4" auger would sure make it easier to drill holes, but if you get a decent trout on you will probably not be able to get it up the hole. I would use at least a 6" auger.

You can drive about 1/2 of the way across the portage, up to the BWCA sign. You will have to walk from there. There is a very small parking spot at that spot.

You will also need to pick up a day pass from the box at the start of the portage that has to be sent in later.(If there are any available there!)

Cliff

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  • 2 weeks later...

Went out last friday. First ten minutes caught a 22 incher. Ten minutes later I caught a 31 incher. by far the best fight I've ever had through the ice. Also caught a 16 incher later that day. The pictures didn't turn out on my cardboard camera. very dissapointing.

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D4 Army,

sounds like you had a good day. did you drive half way down the portage, then walk the rest?

if you dont mind sharing....what worked for you? time? lures? bait?...im planning on heading up there sometime in late march.

thanks for the help.

mike

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We couldn't drive half way up the portage with the truck. But what's another 1/4 mile when you walk in anyway. All fish caught and missed were with a white powerbait tube with a 1/2 ounce tube jig. We tried some rainbow chubs because we couldn't get shiners and we got nothing. First two fish were around 10:30 to 11:00 a.m. and the third was about 3:00 or so with one fish I missed twice somewhere in between. I'm thinking about going back up next week if it works out. what an awesome lake.

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about 20 inches. give or take an inch. much better than last year when i was there and it was 33 inches.

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Is the "alternate" Trout Lake portage open this year? I'm talking about the snowmobile trail from the back end of Wolf Bay (just to the left of the Wolf Lake portage) that ends up on a beaver pond just behind West Bay on Trout? I havent been in there for a few years.

Steve

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I was up in the airplane last week, I didn't notice any tracks going that way but I wasn't specifically looking for any tracks either.

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  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • Brianf.
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    • CigarGuy
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