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A FLY FISHING GOLD MINE IN THE ARROWHEAD Fishing for Trout in NE Minnesota’s Designated Stream Trout Lakes By Phil Vieth ortheastern and central Minne- is with a float tube, small pontoon boat, sota hide a gold mine of trout or kayak. A small, light, canoe can be Nfishing opportunities that are used, but it is easily blown around if relatively undiscovered and untapped there is a wind. I use one-man pontoon by fly fishers: state designated stream boats, but they are bigger and harder to trout lakes. haul. However, they are very nice to fish from, especially on bigger lakes. These are small, cold lakes that the MNDNR stocks with trout normally A float tube is my first choice to access found in streams, such as brook trout, the more remote lakes. I built a float tube rainbow trout and brown trout, with hauler that makes it easier to get my float some hybrids like splake (male brook tube, waders, fins etc. to the lake, instead trout crossed with female lake trout) of carrying everything on my back. My thrown in for good measure. hauler started as bicycle frame with just the front wheel and handles. I can place They are hard to reach and subsequent- my inflated float tube, waders and other ly hardly fished, according to MNDNR gear on it. Then I easily roll it along an Stream Habitat Coordinator Brian Ner- old road or trail to the lakeside, where I bonne. Some may see only one or two take off my hiking boots, put on my gear, anglers a summer. That can mean tro- and go fishing. Phil Vieth’s Float Tube Hauler - A big benefit on hard-to-reach waters phy trout. After a day out on the lake, when it is wind, such as ants, beetles etc. Pay atten- Local Resources There are 102 of these stream trout getting dark, I kick toward shore. I take tion to where the wind might blow bugs lakes in Cook and Lake counties alone! my rod apart out on the lake and get from the nearby shoreline, and to the Scott Sorenson is the owner of Fly Box Some of these lakes are so remote, the ready to take off my fins. As I hit shal- other end of the lake where wind-blown & Company in Grand Marais and a MNDNR stocks fish by using float low water, off comes the fins, off come insects might collect. longtime supporter of Trout Unlimited. planes, or by hiking in with Duluth the waders, I pile up my gear, and I am He offers a guide service, rental, hand- packs filled with trout. Other lakes are ready to head up the trail. These lakes have a variety of mayflies, tied, still-water fishing flies and, even close to good roads. Larger lakes, such including the giant Hexagenia limbata better, good advice. as Trout Lake, Kimball Lake, Birch You’ll need a trout stamp on your license species. These are the mayflies that Lake and Ester Lake, have launching to fish stream trout lakes. Other regula- hatch in such profusion that MNDOT Scott says if you want to trade up from access for small boats, but most don’t tions vary. Some stream trout lakes re- has used snow plows to clear bug-body- a float tube, you might consider rigid have boat ramps. Some others, such as quire catch-and-release, up to a size lim- slickened river bridges, where the lights pontoon kick boats. They are more Mink Lake in Cook County, have fish- it, to preserve trophy-size trout. Others have attracted clouds of the big mayflies. durable and you can use fins and oars. ing piers. have regular inland regulations. Using When the Hex hatch is on, fish gorge They come in a variety of sizes, move live bait is prohibited due to the potential themselves. Even after the famed Hex more efficiently through the water, However, about 20 of these lakes are introduction of minnow species that are hatch is over on these stream trout lakes, and provide a more stable platform for on trails and poor roads in the Superior not desirable for these lakes. rainbows seem to be looking for large casting. As for pumps, he likes the K- National Forest that are not conducive dry flies. I have seen rainbows “por- Pump. It’s portable, comes in various to driving without four-wheel drive, or The stream trout in these lakes feed poise,” breaking the surface to come sizes, has no hoses, is durable, and is an ATV. Still others are in the BWCA readily on streamers and other flies as down on surface flies, several weeks af- made in the USA. Wilderness, where you’ll have to hike, the season progresses. This is especially ter that hatch. Early summer, when the canoe and portage to them. true for rainbow trout, which are oppor- mosquitoes and black flies are a prob- He says the Hex hatch typically hap- tunists. They seem to cruise just under lem, is also when there is good fishing. pens from the last week of June through Many shorelines are difficult to fish the surface and feed on terrestrial insects the first week of July in his area of Cook from, so the best way to fish these lakes that are blown onto the water due to County. Call him to find out what’s With no surface activity, a heavy sinking hatching when, and for advice: 218- tip fly line and weighted nymphs seems 370-9659, or go to his website: to work. “Trolling” in your float tube by www.flyboxmn.com. slowly kicking your feet and dragging your fly line seems best for this type of MNDNR Info: Designated stream trout rig. lakes: http://dnr.state.mn.us/fishing/ trout_lakes/list.html Winter is an excellent time to dream about visiting these remote lakes. Some Clicking on the lake name brings you to will take a little research and inquiry to its Lakefinder page with stocking histo- figure out how to reach, and the infor- ry, survey results, depth contour maps, mation is sometimes sketchy, but this is and a description of how to access the a challenge that adds to the reward of lake. You also can look at maps show- making it there. ing the location of designated trout lakes at http://dnr.state.mn.us/fishing/ You also can find out stocking infor- trout_streams/northeast.html mation from the MNDNR, along with when a lake was “rehabilitated.” These You also can contact the MNDNR Area small, cold, infertile lakes don’t support Fisheries office in Grand Marais and other gamefish of any size, so those fish Finland, MN and ask about a lake you were cleared out and trout were stocked. might be interested in. From this information you can narrow the lakes to the most productive, with the Once you’ve settled on a lake or two, species and size of fish you prefer. you can plan your overland assault us- ing maps from the Superior National Even if you don’t catch a trophy, it is Forest (https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/ an intriguing and interesting process to superior/maps-pubs). Motor vehicle identify, determine the best access, and use maps can give you an idea of which finally launch a float tube into these logging roads might still be drivable, or great fly fishing lakes. not. Officials also warn you to print the maps and know how to use a compass with one. Cell phone service is unreli- able in many areas. A nice rainbow trout from a NE Minnesota Trout Lake 8.

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