Trout Lake

[redlabguy]

Fishing Vermilion has been slow for me. I have a couple friends here, one of whom grew up with a cabin on Trout, before the BWCA, that we visited as youngsters. We fish it every year looking for walleye but usually only catch bass. Today, in the rain, I had the absolute best walleye fishing ever. I have caught a 28” on Vermilion, but today caught my (larger) limit including 27”, 26”, a couple 24”s,etc. Beautiful fish- dark bronze with red/gold fins, The other guys did well, too. We were throwing back 15” fish. Great day.

I sound like I’m bragging and maybe am, but Trout is back as a walleye lake. Leeches today, slooow drift with a Lundy rig, 14-20’ off points. 

I’m 68. Best walleye fishing of my life- so far. Only regret is the red lab had to stay home. Boat is too small.

RLG

 

 

[fins_n'_feathers]

I have heard much of the same from friends that have been in there recently. They say the lake trout fishing is the best it has been in a long time and once everyone gets their trout the walleye fishing is awesome too! Great to hear! 

[mbeyer]

That is a nice report. Only been to Trout twice with a guide. Would like to try on our own. Seems intimidating....big and deep water. Can "just a guy" find walleye out there? Is it more of a summertime lake? What happens around Memorial Day?

[Bigfatbert]

9 hours ago, redlabguy said:

Fishing Vermilion has been slow for me. I have a couple friends here, one of whom grew up with a cabin on Trout, before the BWCA, that we visited as youngsters. We fish it every year looking for walleye but usually only catch bass. Today, in the rain, I had the absolute best walleye fishing ever. I have caught a 28” on Vermilion, but today caught my (larger) limit including 27”, 26”, a couple 24”s,etc. Beautiful fish- dark bronze with red/gold fins, The other guys did well, too. We were throwing back 15” fish. Great day.

I sound like I’m bragging and maybe am, but Trout is back as a walleye lake. Leeches today, slooow drift with a Lundy rig, 14-20’ off points. 

I’m 68. Best walleye fishing of my life- so far. Only regret is the red lab had to stay home. Boat is too small.

RLG

 

 

I would of kept the 15 “ fish and put back those large fish . When you say you caught your larger limit are you saying that you took home those large fish?

[FishinCT]

2 hours ago, Bigfatbert said:

I would of kept the 15 “ fish and put back those large fish . When you say you caught your larger limit are you saying that you took home those large fish?

Long run it probably wouldn’t matter as those large fish would probably be past prime breeding age in a slow growth lake like Trout anyway. But FYI to anyone going in there, the statewide regulations apply for Trout and that is 6 walleyes with 1 over 20 inches

[delcecchi]

3 hours ago, mbeyer said:

That is a nice report. Only been to Trout twice with a guide. Would like to try on our own. Seems intimidating....big and deep water. Can "just a guy" find walleye out there? Is it more of a summertime lake? What happens around Memorial Day?

I was just reading an article somewhere about the rebound of lake trout in Trout Lake.   Natural reproduction seems to have taken off again.    

Found the article.   Twas from the Timberjay. 

http://timberjay.com/stories/trout-lake-rebounds,15146

( note: looks better at link, also has a nice picture)

 

TROUT LAKE— The lake trout population here is continuing its recovery from its low ebb nearly two decades ago— and DNR fisheries staff aren’t entirely sure why it’s happening.

Back in the late 1990s and early 2000s, many anglers had just about given up on catching lake trout here on this big, cold, and clear lake located north of Lake Vermilion in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. “I quit fishing for them,” said Rob Bryers, who grew up on Lake Vermilion and had fished lakers “north of the portage” for years. “It was about the early 1990s when it just tanked,” Bryers recalls.

Speculation abounded as to the reasons why. Some blamed eelpout, while others suggested smallmouth bass were making short work of the younger trout. Despite repeated stocking, it was apparent that the introduced stock was failing to thrive.

Back in 1998, deep water gill nets deployed by the DNR captured just three lake trout during that year’s fish population assessment, a low ebb. Six years later, in 2004, after several substantial stocking efforts, the DNR caught just four lakers in their survey nets. By then, many feared that the lake’s trout fishery could disappear to history.

And then something changed. In 2010, DNR fisheries staff caught ten lakers in their survey nets and that jumped to 21 in 2014. And finally, in 2018, the DNR caught 27 lake trout in their nets— the highest number in memory. “It’s been doing very well,” said Edie Evarts, Tower area fisheries supervisor.

These days, Bryers, who now guides on both Vermilion and Trout, heads to Trout as often as he can and has found from his own experience what the DNR’s test data is also demonstrating— that the lake trout are back at Trout Lake.

“Every trip I’ve taken so far this year, we’ve caught fish,” said Bryers, and in some cases several fish. And that’s unusual for a generally low-density species like lake trout, where catching one or two in a day is considered a successful outing.

Bryers said he finds the situation somewhat surprising given that fishing pressure remains relatively high on the lake and improved fishing technology has made it easier for anglers to fish for trout, even in the summer when they typically inhabit deep water.

“For some reason, it is sustaining itself, despite the situation,” said Bryers.

The DNR doesn’t have good data on Trout Lake fishing pressure, according to Evarts, since the lack of road access to the lake makes it challenging to conduct a creel census, which is the usual method the DNR uses to assess fishing pressure. But Evarts noted that when fishing is good, anglers generally make the effort to take advantage.

Fishing pressure can have a significant impact on trout populations, according to Evarts, since they’re a top fish predator that is rarely found in large numbers. Think muskie, only way better tasting. And, in part, because trout are so highly sought after for eating, anglers tend to keep the fish they catch.

Stocking not a major factor in recovery

While some lakes rely on trout stocking to maintain the fishery, Evarts said the evidence from Trout Lake suggests that stocked fish have had little impact on the recovery— and that has prompted the agency to re-examine its stocking efforts. “The stocked fish don’t seem to be making it, but the natural fish in the lake are doing well,” said Evarts.

During one recent survey using trap nets on reefs where lake trout spawn, the DNR caught 54 lake trout, ranging in size up to 37 inches, and only one was clipped, indicating it was a stocked fish. “We get anecdotal reports from anglers that they almost never catch clipped fish,” said Evarts.

Genetics testing conducted by the DNR also confirms that the native Trout Lake strain of lake trout continues to dominate in the lake. That’s despite an aggressive program of lake trout stocking in recent years, including up to 40,000 yearling fish every other year— most recently in 2018.

Given the lack of road access, the DNR ends up flying the trout in, which is an expensive venture for the DNR. According to Evarts, the DNR is currently revising Trout Lake’s management plan and the agency is considering discontinuing stocking efforts, at least for now. “We’re thinking that the stocking isn’t really giving us any returns,” she said. “It’s a pretty expensive program, having to fly all the yearlings in. It takes more than one trip. If it was working well, we could justify it.”

For now, at least, the natural trout population here appears to have rebounded. And, for anglers like Bryers who love Trout Lake, that’s what matters. “It’s been good and consistent,” said Bryers.

[redlabguy]

On 6/24/2019 at 7:25 AM, Bigfatbert said:

I would of kept the 15 “ fish and put back those large fish . When you say you caught your larger limit are you saying that you took home those large fish?

 

By larger limit, I meant 6, not 4 walleyes. I count released fish as part of the limit, too. Nothing wrong with a 15” by any means, but we had larger fish we could keep.

[side_laker]

Thinking about trying trout Wednesday for the first time. We are in process of getting a day permit but wondering what depth to start looking for walleye and trout. Any recommendations for how to  fish trout. We don’t have down riggers. Thanks for any info provided 

[delcecchi]

23 hours ago, side_laker said:

Thinking about trying trout Wednesday for the first time. We are in process of getting a day permit but wondering what depth to start looking for walleye and trout. Any recommendations for how to  fish trout. We don’t have down riggers. Thanks for any info provided 

 

If you can find a few with electronics, you could "vertically cast" sonars.   Drop them straight down all the way to the bottom and then just reel them up.   Try various speeds but you should feel the vibration.   

 

Heavy jigs and sucker meat or a big white tube is a classic.   

 

Dipsy divers and a spoon or floating rapala, although they might be too deep for that by now.   

 

I don't know how far they will come up for a bait.   Don't go too fast when trolling.  Give them time 

 

This is based on my experience in a Canoe in BWCA and Quetico, not in trout lake.

Edited July 30, 2019 by delcecchi

[side_laker]

Thanks del. planning on being at portage before 7 so we are first in line to go over. 

[delcecchi]

1 hour ago, side_laker said:

Thanks del. planning on being at portage before 7 so we are first in line to go over. 

Hope it works out for you.  

[roony]

A little late on my part but watch out for rocks. They come up like church steeples in that lake. I had my best luck in the North Arm, kind of a hike though. 

[side_laker]

Just got back from first trip ever. Fishing was tough we did not boat a trout it walleye. But it was a great day out there definitely will go back and try again 

[Bigfatbert]

14 hours ago, side_laker said:

Just got back from first trip ever. Fishing was tough we did not boat a trout it walleye. But it was a great day out there definitely will go back and try again 

 

I have found the best times to target Walleye on Vermilion Trout during the summer is to be fishing with the first crack of dawn for a couple hours , or at dusk for a hour or two. Now with that being said those hours are impossible with the available hours at the portage crossing. The only way you can do this is by camping overnight there , so maybe that could become a option for you and increase your catch .. I do agree that even if the bite is slow , a day on the water is a great way to spend your day...