Opener photos

[DEADhead]

Post your photos from this past weekend here.

Here's a nice male rainbow I caught; it was starting to develop a kype (hook jaw), and beginning to show some pre-spawn coloration. The rose and gold colored cheek, jaw and gill plate were amazing. Caught in 30 fow suspended at 12 feet on a hammered gold holie angel tipped with wax worms.

[WxGuy]

NICE!

[turn_in_poachers]

That fish has got some beautiful colors to it.

[Andrew Erickson]

nice fish

[schr0563]

I got this one Saturday on a metro area lake.

[Quickstrike]

Sorry guys, no pics, just a report. I fished a Finland area lake for opener and we caught about 20 splake and 5 bows, nothing big but a lot of 12-14 inchers.

Hey Deadhead, is that an old avid ice rod in your pic? Man I wish they still made that rod, one of my all time fav's.

[DEADhead]

good eye QS, that is indeed an Avid rod. It's funny you mention that is your favorite rod; I was just talking with another FM member yesterday about how awesome these rods are, and that we both wished st croix still made them. I love the ML action; it has a quick tip, plenty of backbone to land a fish and enough give to set the hook. Plus I like the 28" length and the graphite handle. If I could go back in time, I would buy at least another dozen of these rods. I have about 6 Avids that I use almost exclusively except for an older model legend with a spring bobber (the old handle) that I use for finicky fish.

[Fish to Win]

Quickstrike-

Would that be Echo lake in Finland or some other fine lake around that area? I will be heading up there in 3 weeks and can not wait!!! What were they biting on???

Thanks-

[Quickstrike]

I had the best luck on Gypsy jigs and pink and white mini-mites tipped with waxies. I also got a few fish on chubby darters and go-devils. I don't like to post lake names on-line just because of how small most of these lakes are. The lake I was on already gets quite a bit of pressure (that might help you out a bit) and I try to keep specific names off on-line forums unless it's a larger body of water.

Good luck!

[fishgutz77]

nice fish did that come from Christmas?

[JigginIsLife]

Would anyone be willing to piont a guy in a direction for some trout. i think that would be awesome but have never iced a trout?? any directions, or almost sure fire lakes up by here.

[Quetico]

I dont fish trout very much but it seems like people just flock to a lake if they find people are getting trout on it.

Quickstrike we all should thank you for not naming lakes. Even if they arent my northeastern MN trout spots.

[redhooks]

Check out the MN DNR HSOforum and find the Trout Lake List, it has all of the lakes in MN managed for trout and tells what species. There should be a lake somewhere near you or a workable destination like Ely, Gunflint trail or grand rapids area. As for a sure fire lake,it's hit and miss no matter where you are. Pick a lake and put your time in and sooner or later you'll find some patterns to put things together. I heard about a guy who went to the same lake at the end of the gunflint trail last weekend and only caught 1 fish Friday, 6 Sat and none on sunday. It's hit and miss with alot of variables; weather patterns, time of day, light,secret lure....anyone with a sure thing will surely keep it under their hat if they want it to stay that way. Pop some holes,pick somthin shiny w/ a minnow head and watch your vexilar.

redhooks

[HUNT&FISH]

Deadhead. I caught a trout with the exact same coloration (First Picture) as the one you have posted, but i caught it later in the year around the middle of may. had a large hook jaw and beautiful dark colors. went about 4-4.5 pounds. I was confused on the species but didnt know bows got the hook? let the fish go after a couple of pics, sure was beautiful though. Just wondering if you had any insight on the species and color.

[DEADhead]

If you caught your fish in an inland lake, it sounds like it was a rainbow. Even though rainbow trout have very poor fecundity (reproductive success) in MN waters, they are typically spring spawners. It is not uncommon to see male rainbows with kype (hook-jaw) into the month of May. At 4/4.5 lbs, you caught a nice fish, congratulations!

As an FYI, the genus name for rainbow trout, “Oncorhynchus”, means “hooked snout,” referring to the hooked lower jaw of big, breeding maales.

Other trout species found in MN waters are fall spawners (brook trout, lake trout, brown trout). The Pacific Salmon species (Chinook, Pink, Coho, Steelhead/Rainbows) found in Lake Superior are capable of spawning in either the spring or fall. All Pacific Salmon species die after spawning except for cutthroats and rainbow trout/steelhead.

[HUNT&FISH]

Sounds like you hit it on the head. It was an inland lake. put up a great fight and my buddy made a great net job!! trolling a rap about 2 FOW, in 60 FOW. Ther is nothing better than fishing stream trout through the ice though. Caught a nice splake through the ice last year that went about 5 1/2. Not the biggest but sure was a memory that will never be forgotton. Have not been able to get out lately due to relocation but plan on making several trips to get a couple bows. might even have to try for some brown's. Never caught any, but would be cool through the ice. You have any experience with ice browns?

[DEADhead]

I've only caught one brown in a lake, and that was during open water at Foster-Arend lake in Rochester. The lakes up in my area that are open in the winter only have rainbows in them. An ice brown would be quite a challenge though, and rewarding as well.