Ice Fishing for Rainbow and Brook Trout

[DEADhead]

as you're starting to find out, it's kind of fun experimenting and trying to predict where the trout will be. My best advice is to spend a lot of time on the lake fishing

[phishhead]

I'll tell my wife that you said that! I'm sure that when I say that DEADhead from Detroit Lakes said that I need to fish more she will just say "okay honey." Ahhh if only that were the case- my days of fishing 5 days a week are over for awhile but thank God for FM so I can at least talk fishing as much as I would like to go. My little battle with trout in lakes has been almost an obsession. I finally have them beat in the summer months now I just need a couple more fruitful trips in the winter to seal the deal. I have put my time in - that is for sure! I can't wait until my daughter is old enough to take with me - we will be a great team!

[DEADhead]

 Originally Posted By: phishhead

I can't wait until my daughter is old enough to take with me - we will be a great team!

I hear you on that one. I'll be able to take mine along in another couple of years.

Have fun fishing and good luck!

[Dan Brelje]

Great Info guys..My question is if any of you use flags/tip ups when trout fishing? I live in SD and we can use 4 lines while fishing.

If so, do you use a rather small hook? Just some general info would be great. Thanks

[sodajerk]

I see lots of guys using tip ups when fishing trout, and they catch some on them.

I tried it once as an afterthought late in the day and had a trout run with my bait and stripped the hook clean and was gone before I got to the tip up. It had only taken about 6 feet of line. I was using a small jig with powerbait and a 3 foot leader of 4lb fluorocarbon. On the reel I had the old standby, regular black, teflon-coated dacron line.

It would be great to be able to use 4 lines through the ice and have four different types of bait in the water. Two lines seems so limiting, especially when the fish aren't biting much.

[davesfriend]

I had my tip up in the water all day, nothing. Jiggin I caught all five. Maybe the tip up was not set up right I don't know. By the way those rainbows fight, I am glad I could real them up.

[Dan Brelje]

Was out on saturday and had no luck w/ tip ups or deep water. Ended up catching one in about 12 fow and missing a handful. Those trout sure don't give you much warning before they bite, very fun to catch though.

[sodajerk]

 Originally Posted By: Dan Brelje

Was out on saturday and had no luck w/ tip ups or deep water. Ended up catching one in about 12 fow and missing a handful. Those trout sure don't give you much warning before they bite, very fun to catch though.

Yep, trout really put up a good fight in the winter, moreso than many other species. They're a cold-water fish, so they are right at home in the frigid temps.

[davesfriend]

I sure had alot of fun with them. Yes, you are right. no warning. Bobber down pull up, just that fast. Now to get a hold on them.. That's another story. Sure is a delicious fish..

[Dan Brelje]

 Originally Posted By: davesfriend

Now to get a hold on them.. That's another story.

Yeah, you should see some of the pics we tried taking, i think we got one with the fish in hand. Very fun, looking forward to doing it again.

[cRaPpiEMaN8265]

I fish wisconsin mostly and i was browsing around and stumbled upon a lake that has been stocked by the dnr for many yearswith 3 types of trout Brook, Rainbow and Brown. I have never been trout fishing before and would like to try it out this weekend. The lake is only 15 acres but is 40 feet deep with a few 10' muck and sand flats. Where would you suggest i try? I have read some of the posts and i think i will start with 2 deadsticks with a crappie minnow and 1 jigging rod with a genz bug. The nice thing is i should be able to cover the whole lake relatively quickly.

Thank you for your help,

Ryan

[mille lacs muskie bum]

i would try close to the sharpest break in 4 to 8 feet of water. then move out from there if they arent in that area. also try by them small flats, probably on the deeper edge of them. they will sometimes use them as feeding shelves.

[cRaPpiEMaN8265]

never mind im pretty sure the season is closed until may on wisconsin lakes