I need tips on fishing trout and panfish in the Brainerd area!

[Roger N]

I live in Little Falls and recently bought a fly rod and a trout stamp. I've been doing some searching, and found out that Cory and Stoney brook up by Gull lake have trout in them. I've seen that in the regulation book that Stoney brook is off limits for trout from upper Gull lake to the cty. rd. 29 bridge. I was planning on just stopping at the bridge and wading up the brook a ways. I wanted to know if anybody has fished them in the past few years and how they are producing. While i'm up by Gull I would like to stop at a local lake like Gull or Round and I was wondering if anybody could give me some information on the best spots to go.

Thanks.

[fish500]

Generally speaking, the trout streams we have are very difficult to fish by fly casting because of the vegetation growing over them. At the same time, this vegetation is one of the main reasons the streams support trout. It provides shade allowing the water to stay cool, and also provides cover for the trout among other benefits. The mine pits near Crosby provide open areas to fish trout where one could easily fly cast. Lots of trout hang around the landing on Pennington, but I would try to go there on a nice day during the week to avoid the crowd. There are lots of sunfish to catch in basically all of the fishing lakes (including the mine pits).

[Sportland_Bait]

In Stoney there are still a few decent trout caught each year. Sometimes the bugs are just nasty up there, more-so in the summer. Most of the fish will hold up in the deeper pools. Those are the best spots. Fly casting can be a little tough because of all the vegetation. A roll cast works a little better. Most of the trout down at Stoney are caught on spinning tackle and small in line spinners or worms and crawlers. In the spring you will also see lots of suckers up in there. The best fishing and access is located in Fritz Loven Park. That is where I would concentrate my efforts.

Once we get some open water there are a number a great shorefishing options available. Gull is probably the best option. Check out the area around Bar Harbor and the Bridges in the channels. When the water starts to warms you'll catch a mixed bag in there. There are always lots of crappies, sunnies, and bass. With a fly rod I've always had the best luck using small sponge spiders or fly rod poppers. Good Luck and have fun.

Jason Erlandson

[Roger N]

Thanks for the information fish500 and Sportland_Bait. If the vegitation gets in the way I'll have a spinning rod with and try some inline spinners. Ibought some poppers and I will try them and I might just go up to Crosby and try the pits.

Thanks for you help, rdn0301.

[gorrilla]

rdn0302, one other thought I had since your in Small Falls is to get ahold of Jim Lilienthal at the Fisheries Department in town. If you stop in he could tell you about the big trout he's been stocking in the stream off the North end of Little Rock Lake. He's been bragging up the success to me for a few years now. Maybe he could show you some good spots on a map...

[riversmallmouth35]

They are stocking trout in little rock creek? I remember hearing that they used to stock trout in little rock creek but that was a number of years ago. My uncle owns some land with the creek running through it and he said that the trout were doing really bad in there. If you guys find out any information about the stocking I would be interested in hearing about it.

[guide2live]

the pits are great in the spring time it with the bug hatch and you will have non-stop action with a fly rod. Try size 10-16 prince nymphs or elk hair caddis on the surface...its a really great time.

[Write-Outdoor]

I think you read the regulations wrong. You can trout fish in Stoney Brook but you must release all the brook trout you catch. There are some very nice sized browns in there. Just remember, the trout fishing is really the best from CR 29 down to the mouth of Upper Gull and that's not a very long stretch so practice Catch & Release please! I'd agree about using Fritz Loven Park as your main access point. Park in the lot and walk up the trail up the hill behind the outhouse. Once you are at the top of the hill, go down the stairs and start fishing at that pool down there. The waters from there on up are excellent fishing for browns and brookies. Catch a big one, please let it go!