What works well for Winter trout?

[jmg]

I believe the MN inland lake Winter Trout season begins on or about Jan. 18th. What are some lures/baits to try on these stocked fish in the Metro lakes and ponds? Does Gulp Trout dough or some of their other stuff work in the Winter very well or is that mostly for open water fishing? Any info will be appreciated.

[expl]

Small jig and a waxworm or euro larva,or a smaller spoon/sweedish pimple/buckshot tipped with the same,even corn will work,never tryed the trout dough before.

[jmg]

Thanks for the help.

[JBMasterAngler]

I've never used that gulp stuff, but have heard from most everyone that has used it that it's a waste of money. Stick with eurolarvae. Where legal, small live crappie minnows are great as well. Use the euros for jigging with small jigging spoons, let the minnow swim around on a tiny jig or plain hook just a foot or so under the ice. Not all trout lakes are designated trout lakes, but if they are, no live minnows, and can only use 1 line.

[TroutYammer]

Use any bait you would use for small panfish. Wax worms on any pan fish lure will work.

I've used the man-made stink baits in winter for trout and have had mixed results. Seems like once you throw that down your hole and catch one fish they catch on to the "stink" and stop hitting. Another problem with man made stink baits is trying to rub that stuff off you hand in ice cold water...you will go home with stink under your fingernails and stink up a pair of gloves!

[hookncook]

Jigging spoons, dead stick crappie minnows (where permitted), and hand tied scuds/nymphs work well... pretty much like anyone else said- just pretend your jigging for bluegills..

[bobbymalone]

i've always thought thought the play-doh trout bait is "matching the hatch" for trout raised on trout chow at the hatchery and it's efficiency decreases everyday those trout aren't fed chow and have to fend for themselves.

[FowlSki]

Fishing for trout is nothing like fishing for bluegills. They are very aggresive and you need to make them chase. It's more like fishing for tullibees if you have ever done that. IMO small baits catch small fish. Sure the big ones will eat the little stuff once in awhile but you will injure or kill a lot of little guys in the process and you may miss out on that big fish because you are releasing or catching a little guy. I have never felt like I have needed to downsize to panfish jigs for keeper size trout.

I would go with a sweedish pimple or kastmaster in natural NON-glow colors with a frozen minnow head or a horizontal jig presentation with a full frozen minnow. Trout learn quick so be sure to be out there on opener. Start shallow and move deeper as the day progresses.

Good luck. Be careful, once you catch the trout bug it can be very addicting. I almost exclusively chase trout through the ice now once the season opens.

[John Funn]

I think flowski nailed it...the others maybe talking about rainbow trout? Lake trout are very aggressive by nature traveling in small "wolf packs" in search of bait they can corral and attack. My favorite winter rig for Lakers is a 3/8 oz whistler jig with a 3 or 4" white plastic tube body. When you see that red line on your flasher it's game on...jig aggressively...reel up as fast as you can 5-10' and abruptly stop...lots of times a strike will follow!! If you are jigging and feel a tap but you don't get a hook set...drop it to the bottom and let it sit a second or two...slowly pick it up ready to set the hook and bingo...works almost every time!! Enjoy!!! Hope this helps