Where is his lake

[Chris Barlage]

So I was told by a few people now that right outside of st peter are 3 little lakes that are spacificly stocked with trout but i do not see them on the lake finder on the dnr web site. Does anyone have any info on this if it is true or not and where they might be.

[GrizzlyAdams]

Yes it is true. They are smaller ponds designated for trout. I believe the DNR stocks them every year. They are located off of highway 99. If you are heading out of St Peter towards Cleveland you turn Left at the bottom of the big hill that leads up to the golf course. There used to be a bait shop/bar on the right side near the turn. I am not sure what road it is but thinking it is the Ottawa rd???? The ponds are about a mile down on the left side back in off the road aways. I know you need a trout stamp but am not sure of the season on them. Someone else who know more will chime in eventually. Hope this helps some.

[Scott M]

If you are on State Highway 99 just past the Minnesota River bridge in St. Peter you head east until you hit Ottawa Road, Le Sueur County Road 23, head north a ways and look to turn left. There are a bunch of trees and a brown sign that says designated trout waters. You need to have a trout stamp to fish here. The St. Peter Trout Ponds are also known as Paul’s Creek on public information maps and the DNR’s southern Minnesota trout stream guide. Here’s an aerial photo from mapquest, its the small bit of water (3 ponds of various shape) by the gravel road west of Ottawa Road:

[Dave S]

You won't only find trout in there. There's some decent sized largemouth bass that find their way in there (illegal catch and release?). I've caught small northerns in there also. Again I'm assuming illegal catch and release. There's no other way for them to enter the ponds without inadvertantly hitching a ride in the stocking truck or someone caught them in another lake and dumped them into the ponds.

[Scott M]

I don't know about the bass, but the bluegills and (large) northern pike have made their way up from the backwaters of the Minnesota. There was a creel done at the ponds in the late 70's early 80's. I don't have the data in front of me, but two things I remember from it were that like 3 or 4 carryover trout were caught that year, which is a feat in and of itself, and secondly, that like 10% of fish were caught and released, which to me is like pulling a steer out of the ingoing line to the slaughter house and then putting it right back into the paddock out front. That's not a personal commentary on catch and release trout fishing or put and take fisheries, I just find it ironic. I also remember from the creel that like 40% of interviewees lived within 10 miles of the ponds, another 40% lived within 30 miles, and the other 20% traveled more than 30 miles to get there. That's from memory, and its been 30 years or so since that creel, but I'd guess its pretty similar now.

If I had 3 months of nothing but ice fishing ahead of me, I'd go over there for a day and rip a jigging rap or airplane jig...those pike were fat and sassy living on trout all summer. They should have enough fat on their bodies and minnows in the ponds to make it through another winter.

[Trucks]

A few years ago I was out there in the winter. At the time I was probably 15(and not too smart). I cant recall if it was late ice or if there was an aerator in one of the ponds for some reason but where there was ice it was about 3 to 4 inches deep. No luck though and I dont think I marked any fish. Just be careful out there if you get the urge to check it out.

[Comit 2]

da_chise31

As for C&R in Put and Take. I may be wrong but you can only take "your" limit of Trout. If you catch one and give it away it's still on your limit.

I like to C&R one limit on each pond per visit.

I do keep bleeders and gut hooks!

Paul's creek is the name of the Trout Ponds.

[Comit 2]

http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/maps/trout_streams/south/map_32.pdf

[Scott M]

da_chise31

As for C&R in Put and Take. I may be wrong but you can only take "your" limit of Trout. If you catch one and give it away it's still on your limit.

I like to C&R one limit on each pond per visit.

I do keep bleeders and gut hooks!

You are correct Comit. To each their own, I know you are taking good care of the fish and helping lots of folks out there each spring.

[Scott M]

A few years ago I was out there in the winter. At the time I was probably 15(and not too smart). I cant recall if it was late ice or if there was an aerator in one of the ponds for some reason but where there was ice it was about 3 to 4 inches deep. No luck though and I dont think I marked any fish. Just be careful out there if you get the urge to check it out.

Yes, I should have mentioned this is spring fed. You aren't going to find a ton of ice out there.