Trout streams near the metro?

[tom_w]

Hello all,

I was wondering if anyone knows of decent streams within 90 minutes of the Metro? I'd like to try trout fishing again.

Also, is it too soon to fish trout in streams? Muddy water?

Tom

[znistler]

you could make it almost to rochester in an hour and a half.

[Dragon Fish ll]

Vermillion river in farmington,Little cannon river. the Zumbro, but if your going to keep fishing trout buy a WI lic. and go just across the border an fish the Kinni or the Rush which is called the brown trout factory over there with a few rainbows mixed in. or there are lakeslike the one east of forest lake some one can help name that one. and theres a very well stocked one up in avon off hwy 94 Big watab but I would use a boat or canoe on that one. but for a quick fix on trout just go to either the courthouse pond or coon rapid dam on opener weekend. after that weekend dont bother and just look back to the other options. I have a good one up north I found some years ago on dnr lake finder. in the trout stocking reports. its in such a remote place ill evan tell you its name Diamond lake near Walker real hard to find without some help. OOd Luck

[tom_w]

Thanks a ton for the info. I may give WI a shot.

Is the Vermillion decent?

[so haaad]

The Verm holds some nice sized fish, but lacks numbers of trout. There are also (limited) access issues. It's best fished early in the season, because it gets overgrown in many areas with vegetation.

You are better off fishing western WI or SE MN trout streams over the Verm if you are looking for "classic" trout water or better numbers. I'd recommend that you fish SE MN streams over western WI trout streams, mainly because I fish WI 95% of the time.

[lenny4077]

I will vouch for Diamond Lake - I used to have a cabin near Longville and fished that lake a few times; until the DNR accidently stocked it with muskies. Then I fished it for muskies for a few years. We sold the cabin before the DNR turned it back into a trout lake, haven't been back since.

[gr81]

Is Diamond lake accessable with a small boat on a trailer, or is it canoe only. I have a cabin in that area and would be interested in catching some rainbows. Any advice on how to fish them? I have fished Big Watab before and used either crawlers or corn under a slip bobber. Thanks guys.

[lenny4077]

Back when I used to fish it, we used marshmellows (sp??) and worms. I would think powerbait dough and a bottom rig would be good early before too many weeds grow up.

[The_Lee]

The best streams to hit up are in the south eastern part of the state. You will be right around your 90 minute drive time. Try the Whitewater River, Trout Run Creek, or the Root River... those are three of my favorite.