Public Access on Trout Lake - Not the lake near Coleraine

[duck2]

Hello,

I would like to check out the angling on the large Trout Lake that is mostly located within the Chippewa National Forest. I understand that there is a public access on the north end. Is this a landing appropriate only for small boats and trailers? Is it also a reasonable way to access the lake for ice fishing?

Thanks

[Raider4ever]

Another way would be to go from Wabana, through Little Trout, then into Big Trout. Bigger boats may have issues with the bridge.

[yoppdk]

Yes, I believe there is a public access there, though no public parking. For that you can pay a small fee to the resort there. The access looks like it should be part of the resort, but actually is a DNR public access. I have dropped in my 17.5' lund without issues there, though it is a small landing with a sandy shoreline. I can't say for sure how long the resort stays open and what the parking situation is during off season. I've never accessed the lake for ice season, but others who frequent this site have and hopefully can pipe in on the options there.

[bmc]

During ice fishing season, the lake gets fished for lakers and splake. I just park on the ice by the landing at that time of year.

The people that own the resort are very nice and only charge a couple of bucks to park on their property.

I made it from Wabana through Little Trout and into Big Trout this summer w/ my 1625 XL Lund Rebel. I had to take the windshield off and get the motor in just the right spot to get underneath the bridge.

DO NOT try this during ice fishing season. There's alot of current through there and I'm not sure if the channels even freeze or not.

Brian

[duck2]

Thanks to everyone for the informative responses. Can anyone tell me the name of the resort on the north end of the lake?

[Greg Clusiau]

Ditto what bmc said about parking when ice fishing. I park on the ice or drive up the road a ways and park on the side of the road.

For open water fishing, I wouldn't recommend putting in too large of a boat. My buddy has a 20' Lund and buried his 4-wheel drive pickup in the sand when trying to pull it out. That was a couple years ago.

I remember pulling out a 14 pound lake trout out of there during the summer, many years ago. Caught in 100' of water on a Husky Jerk. Only fish of the day.

[duck2]

Greg,

If I were to try for some lakers through the ice, is there any area to set up ( i.e. over a deep basin vs a drop off, etc ) and do they typically roam the entire water column? Is Trout Lake also a worthwhile ice angling destination for crappies and sunnies?

Thanks

[Greg Clusiau]

duck2 ~

There are plenty of different areas to set up for winter trout fishing. I like to set up in deeper water (60' or so) next to a breakline or structure. Sometimes, however, I'll go right on top of the shallow bars and sight-fish. That's always fun too.

I have caught panfish out there through the ice, off the edge of a break, while my buddy was angling on top of a hump in shallow water. We were only 100' from one another and were catching different species.

IMO it's not a great lake for icing panfish though. I'd go elsewhere after you are done troutin'.

[Iambjm]

I have made it under the bridge with my Rebel 1650 tiller model, but one should be aware that there are a lot of shallow sand bars and rocks on that lake. I know from personal experience, don't trust the GPS.

[DinnerPail]

I have also been under the bridge with my 17' and had to take off the windshield. I like the sign on the bridge that says (no wake zone).

[Raider4ever]

*I like the sign on the bridge that says (no wake zone).*

Yeah, they got that sign in the channel between Wabana and Bluewater. I chuckle every time.