trout fishing in mine pits?

[CrappieDays]

Since eyes are done for a while I want to start Ice-fishing for trout (lake or rainbow) in some of the stocked mine pits in northern MN. Not sure where or how to start though. I am just not sure how to fish a 400' hole in the ground with no structure. Short of giving exact locations (not that I would mind) does anyone have any pointers. Lures, bait, depth, time of day, other threads on this topic, anything? Thanks in advance for the help.

[fishuhalik]

I use to fish La Rue pit just outside of nashwauk, along with a few others. I won't give out any specifics, but it can be very difficult to figure out. Once ya do figure it out, though, it can be a blast. Try anywhere from 10' - 70', which can often be 20' away. Don't be afraid to try lumber areas, too. As far as bait goes, i had good luck w/ jigging spoons and waxies, in a hammered silver.

[mwodziak]

I've never fished mine pits but my general rule of thumb is to fish rainbows right under the ice to as far as 15' under.

[CrappieDays]

Went out yesterday eve and we will call the score Trout 1-CrappieDays 0.....Fished in 20-36' without seeing a fish. Used a vex but didn't need it. Could see bottom. Tried minnows (not designated trout lake) and waxies with jigging spoons and jigs at up to 20' under the ice. If I try the same pit again I'll try out over deeper water and see what happens. Still looking for any pointers so feel free to throw them at me.

[fishkid]

when i go to new lakes i always start in about 7 feet of water and move deeper and deeper unitl i find fish. i would focus on the inside corner of a point where there is a fairly steep drop from the shore line.

[quackersmacker]

Crappie, I don't fish pits, but I would go deeper, where ever there is current. I would try airplanes, or bucktails close to the bottom with herring or smelt. We do this on Lake Superior in deep water, (200+ fow), and do well. Just a thought, good luck.

[Cliff Wagenbach]

On most of the pit lakes that I have fished the trout were usually 5' up to 20' under the ice, even if I was over 70' of water.

Use lots of jigging action to bring them in then slow down or even stop your jigging.

Cliff

[lakerunner]

Fish it shallow--I fish a lot of the mine pit lakes and I'd target the shoreline (2-5' from shore) which is usually around 5-10 FOW.

[troyfideldy]

What type of trout? Have to know your target before you can hit the bullseye.

[lakerunner]

Rainbows, brookies, and splake