Grindstone lake trout stamp for smelt?.

[ldbbeck]

Since Grindstone has trout do you have to a trout stamp if your just fishing for smelt.

[reinhard1]

no trout stamp is required unless you want to keep trout. the grind is not a designated trout lake and live bait may also be used. good luck.

[slipperybob]

Smelt are fun to catch. They can be frustrating when they're light biting.

[reinhard1]

and they are tasty also. i keep the small ones for deep frying and the larger ones can be smoked. my brother brings a guy down every year ans all he wants is the larger smelt for smoking. good luck.

[FearNoFish]

I have asked the DNR if a stamp is needed for fishing Grindstone the e-mail stated it is the act of fishing for trout you need a stamp. IMO a officer makes the desion if you are activly fishing for trout or for smelt I would buy one just to make sure the only cost a couple of bucks.

[reinhard1]

ok, if one wants to do that and i have a trout stamp every year regardless. i dont know how you can determine in grinstone lake that you are fishing intentionaly for trout when they are in the same areas than game fish. i have never been asked if i'm fishing for trout in 40 years of fishing there. now there can be a first time and i suppose on the side of caution its a good idea to have one. one would think if this intentionaly fishing for trout thing is carried out it would be better to require everyone to have a trout stamp anywhere trout are present, but it does not say that in the requlation. i will check on this since this came up before. good luck.

[reinhard1]

i just called the hinkley dnr. the person said if a co determines that you are actualy intentualy fishing for trout that co could issue a citation. however he also told me he agreed with me its more likely you would get a citation if you are seen possessing a trout without a trout stamp. the co would have to go to court and prove to the judge that you were intentualy fishing for trout. this would be easier done in open water vs hard water. so it's up to the discretion of the co. so to be safe i would get a trout stamp. fishing for smelt in the grind you normaly use the same baits as you would for trout. i have cought crappie, pike, and lake trout while fishing for smelt [small pimple with a minnowhead]. my guess would be if a co seen you catch a trout and release it right away he would know you are not fishing for trout. i told the dnr guy i would suggest that if this hard to enforce rule is there just demand a trout stamp for any body of water that contains trout to stop the confusion. good luck.

[maxpower17]

Don't fish for trout without a stamp! Simple as that!

Too many people try to get caught up in the technicalities of a judgement call. I would say that the CO would be right 99% of the time on a judgement call. DONT BREAK THE LAW, you wont have ANYTHING to worry about.

[reinhard1]

i agree with you about not breaking the law. this is a non-designated trout lake. people fish for other species here other than trout. for them to feel safe, they should buy a trout stamp according from what is see posted but i dont see it anywhere in the regulations. this is what it says: anglers need a trout stamp validation and a fishing or sports license when fishing in designated trout streams, designated trout lakes , lake superior, or when in POSSESSION of any trout or salmon from any waters. the key word is possession. possession can also be determined if a person does not make a quik release of a trout after being cought. so ok, to be on the safe side maby it's a good idea to have a trout stamp when fishing a non-designated trout lake with other species present. we all know in designated trout lakes you have to have one to even fish the lake or stream. this has to be clarified by the dnr for non-designated trout lakes so a person doesn't have to spend extra money just to fish for smelt or crappies in this lake or similiar waters. good luck.

[FearNoFish]

The question asked:

I am going to fish Snowbank Lake in northern Minn, I am wondering do I need a trout stamp to catch and release lake trout, or do I only need one if I keep a lake trout?

The answer:

Yes you do need a trout stamp anytime you actively fish trout. Even if you catch and release them, the activity is what needs the stamp. Kevin

Kyle, Kevin K (DNR) [[email protected]]

This is where i got my info from.

[reinhard1]

i would have given you the same answer,exactly the same. you are fishing for trout, you need a stamp. good luck.

[ldbbeck]

I am unemployed did not want to spend $10 on trout stamp to fish for smelt. It was also a 1 time trip thats why I asked for rules. Thanks for the info and I did catch enough smelt for a meal.

[reinhard1]

this is why that "if it looks as if your fishing for trout" rule in a non designated trout lake needs clarification. total joke in my mind. it should only be "if your intentions are to keep trout" with actualy keeping trout is the issue. pike lake in duluth has rainbows, although few, they are in there. would you need a trout stamp there as well? of course not, but some co could give you a ticket if it looks like your fishing for them should you by some mirracle catch one and not immediatly release it. good luck.

[NewtotheNorth]

Has anyone lately been catching smelt on Grindstone lake?

Was hoping to take my nephew out on a fishing trip but unsure if the smelt are still biting.

Any update would be helpful.

[reinhard1]

the smelt will continue to bite until it is no longer safe to walk on the ice. the smelt hole is where most people fish for them but they are scattered all over the lake. the easiest way to get to them if one does not want to drive on the lake is to walk on the lake from the boat landing.once you get out on the lake walk to your left and out on the lake until you get to around 60 ft and go from there. you will see the smelt suspended just like you see crappies. hope you get some of those tasty fish. good luck.

[fsnrod]

Do they bite in daytime or is it a after dark thing?

[reinhard1]

i have a nightime trip comming up. forty years and never fished after dark. basicly for crappies. all day long they bite. they come through in spurts but sometimes do stick around for a time until some predator spooks them. go to the forest lake forum and look in the grindstone reports. many tips there. have fun. good luck.