SE Minnesota Trout trip, need some suggestions

[maddog2099]

Hello all,

I'm new to the forums, I've lurked a little but just finally signed up. I have some questions for some of you in the SE MN area.

I'm planning a weekend camping/fishing trip, but I'm a native IA guy and I am unsure as to where would be a good place to camp that has some decent trout streams near it. So if you have any suggestions please let me know, I'd like to set this weekend up for June 12th so I need to get everything lined up pretty quickly. I'm itching to get out and do some trout fishing as it's been 5+ years since I've had the opportunity.

Campsites with trout streams at or near (within 20 miles approx)?

If there are multiple streams very close to the campsite, do you have some suggestions for better streams to try our luck?

Without asking for anybody's favorite fishing hole, I'll ask in addition to which streams you might suggest are there better places on those particular streams you would suggest?

Neither of us that are going are fly fishermen (plans to learn, but not at this time, no gear currently) so what, if any, do you have for suggestions for bait and or lures. I'm familiar with using small spinners and worms and such, but in IA we also used corn (not sure of legality in MN).

Thank you in advance for any help you provide!

Matt

[itchmesir]

Trout Run.. 12,000 trout/mi... protected slot 12-16"... artificial only... it's all open pasture for the most part.. so hanging up in a tree is almost impossible.. throw anything from a #2-#6 Panther Martin... Scudly will be more that willing to tell you more about this stretch of stream...

2nd.. the whole root river system.. crawlers... big cranks like X-raps etc.. big spinners #4-#6 PMs... middle branch is known for good smallie water also.. Forestville/Mystery Cave is an amazing State Park and has tons of streams in the area.. including the south branch of the Root River which flows right through the park.. and is surrounded by plenty more.. if you are looking for prime camping and non-stop fishing.. this is a great place

3rd... Whitewater.. great camping.. lots of water.. bait is allowed.. #1-#6 PMs... lots of access points..

4th.. Eagle Cliff Campground.. nice little campgound.. north of Whalen and south of Lanesboro. the campground sits on a great section of the Root River..

hope this all helps

PS: I don't remember if corn is legal in minnesota.. but i have heard it is not good for trout.. so please do not use any corn

[mark p]

Just to make sure you don't get confused and get in trouble, there are portions of the whitewater system that are artifical lures and flies only. There are 3 branches of the whitewater river (south, middle, and north branch). The state park is on the middle branch and near the upstream end of the park and continuing upstream to the source it is catch & release and artificials only regulations. In and around the camping area it is governed by the general regulations. The north branch is also artificials only and a 12-16 inch protected slot starting a couple miles up from the mouth and continuing up to the source.

No matter where you go, make sure you get a copy of the regulations when you get your license and read the special regulations. Here is a link to the trout stream maps on the MN DNR HSOforum that shows the trout streams. The streams or portions of streams with special regulations are in different colors based on the regulations that apply.

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/fishing/trout_streams/south_mn_maps.html

[Scudly]

Yeah if it is artificial only that means flies or lures. Only 12 streams are artificial only, this includes Trout Run. Anywhere else you can use corn. Want quality trout? Buy #6 and #9 Panther Martin spinners. Small spinners I gave up a decade a go. Will buy #15s on my next order.

Google Minneaota trout maps. There is a wealth of information on the DNR page. Gray on the map = public easement. Most tribs of the Root hold trout as does the Root. The Lanesboro area is a nice place for the family. You can rent a canoe. Lanesboro to Whalen is a nice stretch. Troll with spinners in the stern. Pull over on the islands and any nice pools and runs that catch your eye.

Whitewater and surrounding streams are fun. If you are up early spinners and worms will catch trout. During the day within the park is Family Circus but you can catch fish all day too with worms (stocker bows). Outside the park early mornings or closer to dusk also ideal. You will find a producive stretch or too for yourself. Remember most people rarely fish beyond 1/4 mile of a bridge... If WW is booked pleny of other campgrounds within the valley.

Welcome to HSO! Hope the info helps.

[maddog2099]

Thanks to all three of you for the wealth of information it will give me a great start to planning my trip. I do have one quick question though, Is there camping at the Trout Run Creek, and if not where would your suggestion be to camp?

Looking at the info you gave on Trout Run it looks to be the best bet for my trip, and looks like it would be a lot of fun. Might also stop on the Root River as I'll likely be driving down to Mabel to see a buddy (he's doing a Truck pull there) so I may stop on the way down or back.

Oh, and I'll stay away from the corn then, I wasn't aware that it is harmful. We used it growing up, but we really only fished stocked trout, and usually only fished for our limit, no C&R then because it was a 6 hour drive and we only went once a year. Now that I'm only a couple hours away from what looks and sounds like great fishing I can make more frequent trips.

[Scudly]

Eagle Cliff in Lanesboro the closest I am aware of if you want to hit Trout Run. Both hakim's and bucksnort are productive stretches. Pasture sections. Fish 5:30 - 7:30 am or 7:00 - 9:00 pm for best action with tackle. Worms not allowed.

[maddog2099]

I've seen Panther Martin advocated by many members here, is there a reason why PM is chosen over a Mepps or some other brand? Build quality, colors? I don't currently have any inline spinners and I'm just curious about why PM is so highly recommended.

Thanks

[Scudly]

Quote:

I've seen Panther Martin advocated by many members here, is there a reason why PM is chosen over a Mepps or some other brand? Build quality, colors? I don't currently have any inline spinners and I'm just curious about why PM is so highly recommended.

I followed my buddy Len "Spinner" Harris who has always had tremendous success with PMs. He has tried Mepps too. Very good vibration. The right colors etc. All silver or all gold are great. Silver blade yellow body with red dots or silver blade black body with gold spots good. #6 and #9. if you are doing Trout Run you might want to go smaller. Not a lot of big trout in there. Just a lot of eaters.

[goblueM]

meh, don't bother with spinners, if you want my opinion. i know a lot of folks love em, but i just can't stand them

small husky jerk-baits, crawlers, even small tube jigs or small plastic grubs work fantastic (and don't twist the heck out of your line)

[itchmesir]

There is some sort of camping allowed at Bucksnort.. not sure what the regs are for it

Rochester KOA is also right on 52 which will shoot you down to chatfield and preston within 30min

[s t fanatic]

personally id stay away from the husky jerk-baits. i dont like the rattles and dont think that the fish do either. id stick with floaters #7 and up. one of the reasons i fish floaters is that if you bump a rock or a log you can stop your retrieve and the lure will float to the surface a husky jerk wont.

[maddog2099]

Thanks for the information.

Going to call today to try to make a reservation at Eagle Ridge campground, looks like a nice place and with it bordering the Root River we will be able to throw a line in that night after we get setup.

I don't have much in the way of crankbaits anyway, so I won't really be using any husky jerkbaits, I have one Xrap, and a couple of shallow cranks and I think one or two topwaters. I'm going to Cabela's this weekend and pickup some PM spinners and maybe a few other things if they catch my eye I never seem to leave there with only what I went for.

As far as Root and Trout Run go, are they the type of streams that you would wade into, or strictly bank fishing? I'm trying to decide if I need to pick up a set of waders or hip boots now, or wait a little longer.

Does the Root contain a little of everything species wise, or is there certain species that are better to fish for than others, I'll probably bring whatever tackle we have to try for some other species as well, although the focus will be on Trout.

[Scudly]

I started using x-raps this year. Lots of action. One buddy has wild success with monster browns. Find any deep pools at Hakim's at low light give it a try. You don't need waders I wet waded for years. TR is not all that deep. My advice is to stay out of the stream as much as possible. Sneak up on the fish. Always fish upstream.

As for Root it has browns, rainbows, smallmouth bass, suckers, redhorse, even walleye and sauger.

[goblueM]

personally id stay away from the husky jerk-baits. i dont like the rattles and dont think that the fish do either. id stick with floaters #7 and up. one of the reasons i fish floaters is that if you bump a rock or a log you can stop your retrieve and the lure will float to the surface a husky jerk wont.

i've fished them side by side and i can assure you that the fish don't care about the rattles

[itchmesir]

Dont worry about waders... you can almost all your fishing from shore on the root and on trout run.. if anything.. bring a pair of old shoes and some shorts.. the water is very nice to wade in right now.. especially when its 80+ outside

[newmember]

i dont see many people on here mentioning it but, rooster tails are great (at least for me). They are my second preferred trout spinner behind PMs but not by far. Bonus is that they are cheaper than PMs and Mepps.

[Redlantern]

Maddog, you said Eagle Ridge. Do you mean Eagle Cliff? If so, it's a really nice place to stay. Been there a few times and would go back in a minute.

As far as fishing the Root, I don't think you need waders. Just a pair of old sneakers like was mentioned before. Lot of good fishing and other things to do down there. Plus no skeeters to speak of.

[maddog2099]

Yeah, I meant Eagle Cliff campgrounds.

I booked the campsite yesterday, it looks as though it's right on the Root River.

No skeeters you say...In Minnesota? That sounds too good to be true!

Will be going to Cabela's this weekend and picking up some more tackle, coming from IA I never really fished anything but Panfish and Catfish. Whenever we went trout fishing we used my dad's gear which basically was just some small hooks for bait, and some #1 gold and silver spinners. So I have a great excuse now to go spend some money at Cabelas...as if I really needed an excuse.

[Redlantern]

Maddog, I've caught smallmouth right from the campground. If you got kids and are taking them with you, this is a great place. The campground is pretty much meant for family groups, no problem with crazy loud partiers or people going too fast through the campground in their cars. Lots of bicycling to do in the area and the Root is pretty nice for tubing. Eagle Cliff can drop you off upstream and you float back down to the campground.

[s t fanatic]

i've fished them side by side and i can assure you that the fish don't care about the rattles

[maddog2099]

Good to know, this particular trip will only be myself and my neighbor who has never been trout fishing before. This was originally planned as a nice weekend trip cause I been craving some trout fishing, and also a trip to scout a good place to take my children. Next trip I'll probably bring my kids (6 and 4) so I'm happy to know that fishing right from the campground can yield some success. I looked at the canoe rental and it seems like a really good deal, although I'm not sure if I'll rent one that weekend or not. Probably will depend on what kind of luck we have on Friday night and Saturday because it says Canoe rental is Sun-Thurs. Good luck on Fri and Sat, I probably won't bother spending the money if I can do well from shore, although it would be a nice scenic trip too. I don't know, it will probably be a spur of the moment thing if I do rent one.

[itchmesir]

Yeah, I meant Eagle Cliff campgrounds.

I booked the campsite yesterday, it looks as though it's right on the Root River.

No skeeters you say...In Minnesota? That sounds too good to be true!

Will be going to Cabela's this weekend and picking up some more tackle, coming from IA I never really fished anything but Panfish and Catfish. Whenever we went trout fishing we used my dad's gear which basically was just some small hooks for bait, and some #1 gold and silver spinners. So I have a great excuse now to go spend some money at Cabelas...as if I really needed an excuse.

that's mostly because the root didn't flood all that much this year.. no standing/stagnant water = no mosquitoes

[maddog2099]

I see well that makes sense...and it makes me happy. I'll still bring the bug spray only because I always keep a bottle in the tackle box.

[itchmesir]

yeah.. good deal.. ticks on the other hand.. if you are out crawling through thick stuff.. they can be issues at times

[maddog2099]

They never really bothered me that much, except when I get woke up by one crawling on me in the middle of the night