Why is Rainbow Trout Fishing not allowed after 11:PM ??

[TroutYammer]

If I am interpreting the rules correctly, Rainbow Trout Fishing in MN is not allowed after 11:PM. Do the fish all go crazy just before midnight or what? I really don't want to fish that late at night anyhow but figure there must be some good reason.

Any answer to this will be greatly appreciated.

[french_lake_kid]

I could never figure that out either, maybe they get really vounerable later into the night, not sure though, good topic.

[Redlantern]

The CO's that are in charge of the rainbow trout are generally younger and have to be in bed by 11:00, so they figured they'd just close it down then so they don't have to go out and make sure no one is poaching.

Seriously, I'm not sure but I have found the trout to be quite willing biters after dark. I like to use a lighted slip bobber on lakes, before 11:00, of course.

Try calling the fisheries office of the dnr to find out. I suspect it's because the trout are more vulnerable at night.

[slipperybob]

I suspect that the big trouts tend to be very active at night.

I went watching the rivers at night in the north shore area and saw some very active trouts. Maybe they be eating smelts.

[so haaad]

I'm betting it's to protect the large stream trout. The larger trout come out to play in the middle of the night.

[Sonicrunch]

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The CO's that are in charge of the rainbow trout are generally younger and have to be in bed by 11:00, so they figured they'd just close it down then so they don't have to go out and make sure no one is poaching.

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Wouldn't the poaching happen after 11 then?

[Zenit]

Quote:

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The CO's that are in charge of the rainbow trout are generally younger and have to be in bed by 11:00, so they figured they'd just close it down then so they don't have to go out and make sure no one is poaching.

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On the very few evenings that the Anoka County Park Rangers enforce the "park closes 30 minutes after sunset" rule (happens more often in October), the trout respont very well after dark to both spinners/spoons on an ultralite and also lighted bobbers & waxies. I suspect that the bigger fish probably are more active in the middle of the night, especially with something like the nice full moon & clear sky we had last week.

Note: The Anoka County Park Rangers are great guys, whether or not they enforce the 30 minute after sunset rule or let it stay open for the river fishermen and the folks down at Cenaiko, I have never not had them drive down and flash their lights at people on the lake, letting them they've got 15 minutes or so to exit before they lock up.