Trout ponds(lakes) near St. Peter, MN

[jmg]

This topic has probably been hashed and re-hashed, but can someone tell me something about these ponds-where are they, how deep, are they able to be fished now for the inland lake season, any special regs, best way to catch 'em, etc.

Thanks for any help.

[reinhard1]

to find stocking information on any trout lake or pond managed by the dnr check out their site under trout lakes. it can be helpfull. i would think the ones you speak of are designated so no live bait allowed. panfish gear is fine with a waxie or euro larva attached to a small spoon or panfish jig or teardrop. fish shallow or just a few feet under the ice in deeper water for rainbows and shallow [five feet or less] for brookies is what works for me. gulp minnow heads with a small jigging spoon works also. good luck.

[ted4887]

http://www.hotspotoutdoors.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/2459210/Where_is_his_lake#Post2459210

That thread will have ALL of the information you're looking for. The thread also includes the info that you'll need for the DNR HSOforum.

[jmg]

Thanks, guys, for your help. Hope to get down there soon.

[Jerry]

Since no one has picked up on this yet in either thread, the St. Peter ponds are managed as a trout stream (Paul's Creek) and thus you cannot fish there until the trout opener in April.

[jmg]

Thanks for the info. Good thing I haven't had a chance to go down there. Don't need any citations for fishing out of season.

[Comit 2]

Paul's Creek is put and take. 5 weeks after the last stocking all but a few fish are gone!

They are stocked every other week for the first 5 or 7 weeks of the of the season.

[OnAFly]

I checked these out a time or two when I was going to College in Mankato. It's basically shoulder to shoulder. People come, bring everything they can, leave half of it there.

If you are just going to get a few trout it's fine. If you are going to fish, I would go elsewhere.

[ted4887]

Just out of curiosity.... is this a place where people launch boats into? If not, is it legal? My kayak is ideal for getting away from shore crowds. I stopped by the other day to check it out, but the access hasn't been plowed out, so I turned back around and got back to work.

[pkv]

I don't think you can launch boats or kayaks into the ponds. They're pretty small ponds. As for the crowds, the 1st stock usually draws a lot of folks, but the 2nd and 3rd stockings - there aren't that many people. Just come early or stay late. We've been going there the last few years, never had to fight with anyone for space. Good luck

[pkv]

I'd also check out this discussion from last year.

St peter trout pond

Looks like they stock the ponds 4 times in the Spring. Like I mentioned, the first couple of stockings will bring many visitors.