Big Watab Trout

[SCCO9803]

Does anyone hear fish Big Watab near St. Cloud for trout?

[SCCO9803]

My buddy has a cabin on it. We fish it in the summer, and put a permanent house out here in the winter. I've only caught one trout there in the winter and that was by accident on a tip up. I was out there last winter and did some oxygen readings and if memory serves me correct the oxygen was only livable about 30-40 feet down in the winter. I'm wondering how and where people fish the trout in the winter, and also if they can be kept out of this lake during the winter as long as you have a trout stamp.

[bigdog]

You can keep trout in the winter if you have a stamp, season opens on Jan 17. I have talked to folks that have gotten fish in deep water and during the day, but these are infrequent fish in my experience. Best bite will be at daybreak. Fish shallow - under 7 feet, set your bait 1/2 way to the bottom. Best is to fish a point or shelf along shore. If you try the Island somebody will probably fire up an auger at day break and that will kill the fishing. Happens every time, hand augers don't affect the fish. Guys have used crawler pieces, wax worms, Euro larve and white mister twisters. I have had the best succes when I started using Flurocarbon leaders, small ice flies and a wax worm. Sometimes they hit real hard, someties they pick at it. When you set the hook in 4' of water all He** breaks loose and they really fight so set the drag accordingly. Good Luck

[Renneberg]

A couple of area's that you may want to check out are where the river comes into and exits the lake. Rainbows are spring spawners and will hang around river mouths during the winter. Come Feb. when the water temps start to climb I'd spend much of my time around the area where the river enters the lake. If alot of anglers are fishing the area and making a lot of noise or if it's just a few anglers drilling a ton of holes, then fish the deep water near that area. When a trout gets spooked it heads for deeper water.

As far as depth goes try the first 10 feet under the ice. This is usally the best reguardless of how deep the water is. If your fishing over water deeper then 10 feet be sure to fish all the way down to the bottom.
If you have a flasher be sure to keep a sharpe eye on it. Trout are fast swimmers. Incounters with them really last more then a few seconds, so be ready for one at all times.

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"Study to be quiet"

[This message has been edited by Renneberg (edited 12-30-2003).]

[Renneberg]

SCCO9803, you need some help with this lake? I've never fished it but could help if you need it.

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"Study to be quiet"