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Trout Opener?

troutcrazymn

By troutcrazymn
in Trout

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troutcrazymn Contributor

troutcrazymn

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Hello Everyone, I am looking for a little guidance, as I have an itch to get out trout fishing, and was originally under the impression January 1st would bring that oppertunity. Looking at the DNR HSOforum they don't list a January carch and release season for SE MN like they did last year, stream fishing C&R begins April 1st. Anyone have any input or know waht I don't.

Thanks

troutcrazymn

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ted4887 Veteran

ted4887

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Does anyone else go out for winter C&R season on streams? This will be my first full year of trout fishing, and have been doing a lot of reading on what type of flies and such to use. But I was curious if there is in fact many people that venture out during the cold months to chase trout.

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Scudly Experienced

Scudly

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I go winter trout fishing but over the years of experience I now decide to wait for the first warm day of January. It is hard enough work hiking through deep snow, I don't want to freeze my butt off too.

Hay Creek is a popular one, you will see plenty of tracks from previous fishermen. Whitewater is also popular on any warm day (above 30).

For winter I think fly fishing is the way to go. I use bead head everything plus I add more split. Sight fish. Most fish are podded up together in the deeper pools. Slow dead drift getting to the bottom usually works the best. Orange scud, pink squirrel, pheasant tail or hare's ear with flashback or gold ribbing, again all flies in bead head.

Good luck!

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troutcrazymn Contributor

troutcrazymn

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Scudley and Ted, thanks for the feed back. I know it's a little crazy but I kind of enjoy the additional challenge of snowshoeing to the river and being in the cold. I work for an outdoor clothing and equipment company so cold weather is what we do. A friend and I are going tocamp out the night before and then start fishing first light. I'll let you know how we do.

Thanks

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ted4887 Veteran

ted4887

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With the amount of snowfall the southern portion of the state has seen, what do you guys think the accessibility of the streams is going to be like? I'm guessing that it won't be very good, and that snowshoes might be required. Any thoughts?

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trappingaddiction Collaborator

trappingaddiction

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Tough hiking for sure. Snowshoes seem like a good idea. Looking to be cold for the opener, I'm going to pass until we get warmer weather. Too bad I cannot fish today or tomorrow....

When is the opener? I don't even know off hand, never trout fish in the winter but wanting to try it a little this year.

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Scudly Experienced

Scudly

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Quote:
Anyone using spinner reels on SE MN for trout? I have the urge to go out and found 2 older spinner rod and reels, but cant find any tackle to go with em, any advice on what to use/buy?

My advice on spinner is Panther Martins, they have the best action. I like #6 and #9 all silver, all gold, or silver blade with yellow body red dots or silver blade with black body yellow dots. Thing about spinning in the winter is the trout seem even more skiddish so if they don't hit first one or two casts into the pool, might as well move on to the next pool/run/riffle. Hiking in this deep snow can wear you out quickly.

Remember bait is allowed in most MN streams too with the exception of those that are artificial only year round such as Hay Creek, NB Whitewater, Camp Creek etc. That is part of the confusion right now. You have to use your winter maps:

MN WInter trout stream maps

Then for any of those you are thinking about using bait (for the pre-season) look to see if the are artificial only during the regular season using this list:

Southeast MN special regulations

My guess is DNR will push to remove bait during the pre-season. Likely could get away with it too because I don't think most bait fishermen fish a C&R season.

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troutcrazymn Contributor

troutcrazymn

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Hello Everyone, So here is my Jan 2nd fishine report. Went to s goodhue area, -4 when we arrived, tried starting out with flys but just wasn't working. So we swithced to spinning gear, easier to use with mittens on. We caught four fish total, 3 brow 1 brookie, one brown was 15 the rest 12. The brookie was on a white body and pink headed fuzzy grub 1/16 oz bouncing off the front of a wook pile/muskrat hut. about a dozen other fish came out of there but couldn't get them to bite after the camotion. The browns where all caught on panter martins, reeled very slow near the bottom, and in the back portion of deep pools. I was surprised that we didn't see them schooled up more in the pools. Hiking was really difficult, but it was fun to get out and fish. Might try to get out on the 15th again.

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ted4887 Veteran

ted4887

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Troutcrazymn - Thanks for the nice report. Hopefully I see the same kind of luck this weekend when I head out. I'm bringing my spinning gear as well... just incase. But I want to get some practice with the fly rod too. I think i'll be hitting somewhere other than Whitewater & Beaver this time.

Anyone have any idea of a relatively open area for me to get some practice casts in with the fly rod on the water?

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Scudly Experienced

Scudly

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Anyone have any idea of a relatively open area for me to get some practice casts in with the fly rod on the water?

Best place I can think of is pasture section of Hay Creek. Park downstream of the bull sign. Work your way upstream to 325th, then take the road back.

Hay Creek Map

I would go with scuds, hare's ear, pheasant tail. All in bead head, use extra split on top of it to get down deep. Cast at heads of the deeper pools and do slow drag free dead drifts.

Good luck!

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