Help!...Catching Trout in Small Trout Lake

[BrianF]

Hello

Novice trout fisherman here. I'm interested in how you would attempt to catch Rainbows and Browns stocked in a small (30 A.), deep, clear (sterile) lake in N. Wisconsin. I have two teenage boys who are interested in these fish, but alas I know little of their habits. We'd prefer to use artificials, if that is feasible.

Last summer, my 13 yr. old caught several suspended trout while casting a Rapala DT16 in the middle of this lake. There's got to be a better way!

Thanks in advance.

Brian

[troutchaser]

You could try long line trolling for them with small rapala's or some other type of small crank bait, or if you would entertain the live bait technique, you could use minnow and a slip bobber. I have found that just about any presentation works for them, but you may have to switch up several times during the day to keep catching fish.

[JP Z]

A great option for trout are jigs. I have been using small crappie tubejigs with great success. With these you can very the drop by changing the head weight and they of course are artificials, or you can tip them with a bit of crawlers if need be.

[MrSenarighi]

You can also longline troll #1/0 blue fox, mepps, or any other inline spinners, they work great. Roosters tails are also great, remember to switch up sizes and colors and you will catch more fish. Throw a small inline weight or splitshot to get it down. Also, fish morning hours if possible, and try to pick an overcast or rainy day. If you are feeling lazy, just stick a small angleworm under a small bobber.

[DEADhead]

If you want to shorefish, look for any dropoffs or points and try casting out with a slip weight or split-shot and a hook covered with powerbait. You would be deadsticking, looking for any tension or sudden slack in your line. I've seen guys fish crawlers but they ususally end up with the smaller trout (7"-10"). Powerbait works for me and I don't have to worry about the hooking the smaller ones in the stomach.

[cyberamish]

I've had GREAT success with the Trout formula Powerbait as well. Stocked Rainbows love the stuff and generally speaking you don't end up with bullheads/small sunnies stealing your bait.

[Hap Shaughnessy]

BrianF,

Maybe contact a mentor, who could hook the fish, then hand the rod over to you. Also, he may try to explain how to tie a snell knot.

Apollogies if you are a different BrianF.

[GoodToGo]

Ouch, I hope you know this guy.

We used to fish what sounds like an identical lake in Wisconson. We fished it early in the year with a rowboat, longlining little spoons, tiny rapalas, Panther Martins/Rooster tails etc. Our very best lure, and always has been for rainbows, is kastmasters. We'd just throw them back a ways and row around.