Trout within 2 hours of metro

[TNtoMN_HuntFish]

I've never trout fished in MN and was hoping to get some help as a newcomer to the state. I know there are a lot of streams but I've also read that DNR info on them is often out of date and I dont want to drive an hour or more to a desolate stream. 

 

Most seem to either have only browns or only small brooks. I really am after some medium size, 12 to 14 inches, rainbow trout for the smoker so I definitely will release any big browns if I catch one. 

 

I've got waders and a kayak and am willing to do what is necessary to get to good, less pressured water. 

 

Bonus offer, I have 2 very stable fishing kayaks, you can stand up in them, and would be more than happy to let you use one if you wanted to organize a float down river in exchange for showing me a decent spot to get some rainbows. Any takers or advice? 

 

Edit - I live in Andover and would prefer to keep the drive below an hour and a half unless it's a well worth while stretch of water. 

Edited April 27, 2017 by TNtoMN_HuntFish

[JBMasterAngler]

Grindstone Lake might be your best option. Just outside of Hinckley. Heavily stocked with rainbow, brown, and lake trout.

[Mike89]

there is supposed to lakes by St. Cloud too I think?

[TNtoMN_HuntFish]

3 hours ago, delcecchi said:

 

But if you just want meat, go to costco.   Buy them it is cheaper.  

 

Well it didn't take long for "that guy" to show up. 

 

It shouldn't be too difficult to understand why I'd rather fish for trout than buy them at the store...

6 hours ago, JBMasterAngler said:

Grindstone Lake might be your best option. Just outside of Hinckley. Heavily stocked with rainbow, brown, and lake trout.

 

Do they holdover though? I thought that was a lake stocked right before freeze up and then all but completely fished out after the Winter opener. 

[Rick G]

Big Watab lake "St Cloud area" between Cold Spring and St Joseph. Couple smaller bodies of water in the area as well.... Mn DNR lakefinder is helpfull. Couple small steams in this area too.

[leech~~]

19 minutes ago, Rick G said:

Big Watab lake "St Cloud area" between Cold Spring and St Joseph. Couple smaller bodies of water in the area as well.... Mn DNR lakefinder is helpfull. Couple small steams in this area too.

 

Sssh!

[TNtoMN_HuntFish]

11 hours ago, Rick G said:

Big Watab lake "St Cloud area" between Cold Spring and St Joseph. Couple smaller bodies of water in the area as well.... Mn DNR lakefinder is helpfull. Couple small steams in this area too.

 

Hey thanks! Big Watab looks like a spot I'd like to try. I'm not used to fishing lakes for trout. The water shouldn't be much warmer than mid to upper 50s right now so should I expect them to still be shallow? I'll be flyfishing from my kayak and also fishing an ultralight setup. 

[JP Z]

For the Stream Trout in Lakes, the season doesn't open until Walleye Opener... Cept of course Lake Superior

[delcecchi]

On 4/27/2017 at 7:09 PM, TNtoMN_HuntFish said:

 

Well it didn't take long for "that guy" to show up. 

 

It shouldn't be too difficult to understand why I'd rather fish for trout than buy them at the store...

 

Do they holdover though? I thought that was a lake stocked right before freeze up and then all but completely fished out after the Winter opener. 

 

I keep and eat fish also.  I was just reacting with a snide remark to a tone of "I want some fish to eat, got any spots" that perhaps was unintended .   If so, I apologize. 

 

Many of the streams in SE Minnesota are populated primarily with native brown trout, and the DNR information is reasonably reliable.  There was a major kill in summer 2015 on the very popular south branch Whitewater river and I don't know how the recovery is coming along.    Cause still unknown.   

 

Some recent info....(not about kill)

 

http://www.postbulletin.com/sports/outdoors/giving-nature-and-anglers-a-hand/article_dfe73b76-5cd9-520c-834f-7d4101a40b2e.html

 

http://www.postbulletin.com/sports/outdoors/john-weiss-trout-cooperate-for-a-fantastic-opener/article_2b106b9b-595f-5bee-8c3b-ceb761179da1.html

 

The DNR stocking activity is accessible from Lakefinder.   Here is the info for rainbow trout for 2016, the latest year available.  It will give you an idea of the activities.  

 

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/showstocking.html?year=2016&county=&species=RBT

 

 

 

[metro fisherman]

wisconsin has lots of good stream trout fishing near river falls and ellsworth as well...Its also under 2 hours away too

[delcecchi]

6 hours ago, metro fisherman said:

wisconsin has lots of good stream trout fishing near river falls and ellsworth as well...Its also under 2 hours away too

 

Probably closer to the metro than SE Minnesota trout streams are, actually.  

 

So, all you cities guys go to Wisconsin to fish, if you don't mind... 

[JBMasterAngler]

Grindstone is stocked in the spring, I think also in the fall. Many trout survive a 2nd and 3rd year.

[TNtoMN_HuntFish]

On Saturday, April 29, 2017 at 8:18 AM, delcecchi said:

 

I keep and eat fish also.  I was just reacting with a snide remark to a tone of "I want some fish to eat, got any spots" that perhaps was unintended .   If so, I apologize. 

 

 

 

Ok my bad then. I thought you were bashing me for eating trout. A lot of people get very fussy about that topic. To some people, keeping a trout or a bass is worse than screwing your buddies wife haha. I'll never understand it. 

[popriveter]

On 4/28/2017 at 8:36 AM, JP Z said:

For the Stream Trout in Lakes, the season doesn't open until Walleye Opener... Cept of course Lake Superior

Correct.

 

We're limited to streams now and I believe I've fished just about all of them within an hour and 30 minutes drive of where you're at. Trout that size are rare in streams in this area.You can find them in a couple streams in Dakota County, but they are catch-and-release only where I've found them.

 

You may want to consider the Willow River in WI (which isn't in season yet), a longer drive southeast (Goodhue and Wabasha county), or just wait for the season to open for trout in lakes.

Edited May 1, 2017 by popriveter

[delcecchi]

I think The stocked rainbows are more like 10 inches.  

[JBMasterAngler]

If you decide on the Wisconsin route, Perch Lake just across the border is good for rainbows. Opener is this Saturday. It's electric motors only, so it would be perfect for your kayak. Otherwise, lots of shorefishing spots.

 

I like watab lake also. I fished it on the opener a few years ago, but the newly stocked rainbows were really small. I've caught nicer ones in the winter. Grindstone is going to be your best best for quality and variety. All the fish live on a smelt diet, so everything from trout to bass, and even crappies get nice and fat!

[TNtoMN_HuntFish]

I think I'm gonna give Grindstone a shot here in a few weeks then. Thanks for the advice. 

 

I'll definitely look into Perch Lake. Being a kayak angler, the fewer outboards around me the better. 

[ZachD]

If you want a quick place to try Cenaiko Lake at the coon rapids dam off of coon rapids blvd has trout you don't need a kayak fish from shore. I think its 5 bucks to get in as its part of the three rivers park system.