this is being lazy on my part (dont feel like searching), oh well.

i just learned that the lakes on my may loop...the frost river one...are NOT walleye lakes (DUH ME).

ive never fished lake trout before. i know ill need a trout stamp. im going in on may 8th.

i imagine they will be shallow in the water column.

what "handful" of artificial lures and colors should i pack?

pre thanks. Jan

I am by no means an expert, but I have caught them trolling crankbaits. At that time of year, I would think a shadrap would work. If they are deeper I have used the deeper diving cranks such as deep diving tail dancers. I would troll similar structure as I do for walleyes. I have caught them this way in early to mid June and would think they are even easier in May. I like to use something flashy in coloration.

Having said all that, is the season open for Lakers that early in the year? I know they are in Canada(Quetico), but didn't think they were in MN. I didn't think you needed a special stamp for lakers either, only stream trout such as brook trout?

Jan, see the "lake trout baits thread"

Ummm, Lake Trout are Trout.
Season opens in Minnesota 5/10. Must have Trout Stamp.

stamps ARE required!

ok, being the virgin i am, i have a question...

do you need to use steel leaders for lake trout?

please inform me. :)

I never use leaders. Even on pike....of course I never fish for pike,,,not purposely that is.

No steel leaders needed. Lake trout are like northern pike in that they like flashy lures with a lot of action. Spoons, jigs, rapalas--they all work.

a rough guess on depth on the opener?

Kanoes, there are many trout techniques out there, but here is one I like to try sometimes. This one helps ensure you get your jig or spoon deep enough (like the 50'+ depth area). Paddle out to the middle of the lake upwind from the spot you want to fish. Cast your lure as far as you can downwind and let it fall while you drift over the spot. Once over the spot (by this time your lure should be close if not on the bottom) begin making an exhagerated jigging motion while slowly retrieving your lure. The trout usually like to attack when the lure is on the way down. Big doctor spoons and big jigs (1-2 oz) work well for this.

As far as depth goes a good starting point is 20'. Look for reefs/points in the 15-20' range near deep water. But ya never know--that early I have caught them 20-30' down but in 120' of water as well. As others have said shiny is good, I prefer trolling deep diving cranks. Brand probably doesn't matter but I have done well with deep husky jerks, rapala taildancers, rapala DT-16---obviously I have a rapala complex, but any brand will do. I just troll--troll--troll....

Tim

They'll likely be shallow. 20 feet or less. I've caught plenty on longline trolling a jointed rapala, no weight or anything.

Umm, Lake Trout are NOT Trout. They are Char,

a brook trout is also a Char

I knew a girl named Char.

I went to Mountain lake last May 22. Water was still pretty cold. I asked some gentlemen I met on my way into the lake what they were catching them on and where - the answer was rapalas and 5-10 feet of water. THey told me the fish were really shallow and that they had even managed to take some with fly rods and streamers. I followed there advice and had great success using 3 to 4 inch floating rapalas. I also tried spoons and mepps spinners and even a cowbell rig (crap load of spinners followed by a spoon or rapala). I caught some with the Mepps but did not manage to catch anything (surprisingly) with spoons of any kind.

If for some reason they are deeper you might also consider a keel sinker to get rapalas or spoons down deeper for trolling.

Good luck

I wonder if lakers would hit on the surface in May?....

Hey, I said I was no expert. I have never caught or even fished for a lake trout in the US. I just assumed a regular fishing license was all you need. So just to confirm, if I am on Oyster lake in the US I will need a trout stamp to fish for them?

I am pretty sure you don't need any type of stamp in Quetico, which is where I have fished for them.

Thanks

yes a trout stamp is required in the BWCA.

Trout stamps.

I did a bit of research on the DNR web site and a trout stamp is needed on designated trout lakes and streams. It is also needed on Lake Superior.

You don't need on when you are less than 16 yo or older than 65.

Most of the lakes in the BWCA are not designated trout lakes. The ones that are hold stream trout, or splake.

Naturally occurring Lake Trout Lakes are not designated trout lakes and you do not need a stamp.

Designated trout lakes are the ones that are stocked with stream trout.

J

hmmmmmmm.......

Last year on opener the lakers were ON shore eating some sort of hatch , we could see their dorsal fins sticking out of the water they were that shallow!! I caught this one in about 8 feet on a kwikfish after rolling over about 4 feet of water

That is what my understanding was, that you only needed a trout stamp on a designated trout lake, such as Ahsub. Like I said though, I have never fished for them in the BW, and I wasn't 100% sure. I did look at the DNR website and read what it said, and I am still somewhat unsure as it was kind of confusing and I didn't have time to really break it down:)!

I looked even deeper on the DNR site, and came up with what they call lakes.

Designated trout lake is one that is managed for stream trout that have been stocked after the lake has been treated with chemicals to kill undesired species.

Two-level lake management is where there are stream trout present, but the other species in the lake remain. No chemical treatments. These trout are also stocked.

Lake Trout lake, is a lake where they are naturally occurring. Most of these are in the BWCAW.

J

Jerry R you left out part of the regulations when you posted.

"Trout Stamp
Trout stamp validations are printed on the ELS license. This is the only verification
needed to prove purchase of the trout stamp. Purchasers may request the actual pictorial stamp for an additional $2, but it is not needed for fishing.
Except as noted, anglers need a trout stamp validation and a fishing or sports license when fishing in designated trout streams, designated trout lakes, Lake Superior, or when in possession of trout or salmon. Trout stamps are not required for children less than 16 years old, adults who are 65 and older, people fishing with a 24-hour license, or people who are exempt from fishing license requirements or who receive a fishing license at no charge."

The DNR interpretation explained to me by an officer was you need a trout stamp on your license just to fish at all in any designated stream or lake no matter if you fish for trout or not, but you also need a stamp if you specifically target trout anywhere else. You forgot the line "OR WHENEVER IN POSSESION OF TROUT OR SALMON" That is the kicker.

A good example if you went to Thomas lake and were fishing the shallow reefs, shore casting for walleyes or Nortons you are obviously not targeting trout and it is not a designated trout lake--no need for stamp BUT if you were fishing the south end in 50-80' (obviously targeting trout) of water or had a Lake trout on your stringer you better have a trout stamp in MN. If you catch one "by accident" and release it that should not be a violation--which could happen in the spring easily--just don't put it on the stringer and you are fine.
The one thing I don't know for sure is if you specifically target Lakers but do catch and release since technically you would not have any in your posession (at least not for long) that is where the regs are sketchy.
Tim

Tim,

You bring up a good point, and the regs are quite confusing. So to get further clarification, I called fisheries in Tower, and they confirm what you said. The law changed about 4 years ago, but the trout stamp part of the regs did not. I haven't fished for Lake Trout in the BW for at least four years, so lucky me.

Moral of the story, dig deep when in doubt.

J

Jerry you didn't by chance ask about catch and release in non-designated trout waters and if a stamp was needed or not? I am still confused on that?

Tim

Tim,

I didn't ask, but the nice lady offered.
If you hook one while fishing for other species in a Lake Trout lake you can set it loose.

To fish those waters that have multiple species no stamp is needed as long as you don't keep the trout.

To take that I step further, and now this is just my opinion, if you are fishing for Lake Trout and are only intending catch and release, since you are actually fishing for them you would need a stamp.

Jerry

I think everyone is confusing the issue. If you are on a designated trout lake, buy a stamp. If you plan on catching a trout (intentionally or not) buy a stamp. If you can't afford a trout stamp, how can you afford to go to the BWCA anyway?

BB,

Yep, I think you've got it right. Splitting hairs is what we've been doing.

J

but, what if you.....just kidding. :)

Back to the original topic: Jan, have you read Furtman's book? I forget what he says about early season lakers, but I've always had success with his tips.

But yet the Minnesota DNR says that Brook Trout and Lake Trout are the only native Minnesota TROUT. Is our Government wrong?
Wikipedia says that many trouts belong in the Char (Salmonids) family.
I believe this was all based on part of kanoes original question "do I need a Trout Stamp"?

The term trout can be used in a very general way, as to include anything in the Family Salmonidae. It can be used in a less general way to include the genera most of us know as trout an char (Rainbow, brown and brook, for instance)but not including the larger salmon. The term can also be used in a very specific manner, applying only to the genera Salmo (browns for instance), and Oncorhynchus (rainbows for instance).
All are correct, depending on the situation.

I had to close the previous post quickly or be locked in the office. I am home now and will properly complete it.
The bottom line is that the term "trout" means whatever the regulatory agency says it means. Usually, at the front of a regulations pamphlet, there is a section titled "Definitions." The definitions may contain a definition for "trout" as does the California Fishing Regulations handily on my computer desktop. According to the CA fishing regs, trout "includes all trouts, chars, steelhead, kokanee, salmon and grayling."
OK. Since the last line, I've checked the Minnesota regs. They are somewhat confusing because they do not give a clear definition.
It does appear that I will get a trout stamp for Minnesota waters because I hope to be in possession of a trout (char, whitefish, whatever).

I have been told the "In possession" part of the rule doesn't apply to lake trout but is that if you posses a trout from the designated lakes but are not fishing at the time you are still in violation. I have been told repeatedly you dont need a stamp for any other lake not designated and I dont get one for lakers.

The Rapala Deep Tail Dancers are nice trolling lures for Lakers the size 11 size runs at 30 ft depth with the smaller ones at 20-25 ft.

My favorite lure for Lakers howevers is the 2 3/4" (size 7) Rapala Minnow Spoon modified with the treble hook removed and replaced by a 1/0 single hook and a spinner blade fished jigging vertically or drifting with the wind. I sleep with that baby under my pillow when I'm on a good laker spot. THey have been discontinued by Rapala but are still available on the net. When I found out they were discontinued I loaded up on them at Falcon Lake Tackle website.

The way I read the regulation, you must have a trout stamp validation to have trout in possession. Why would the possession regulation be any different for lake trout?

I've fished Lake Trout in Canada at the beginning of June. We used #9 floating Rapalas silver/blue and silver/black with great success, the jointed Rapalas didn't work, I don't know way. The lakers will be shallow but near deep water. So troll/drift the edges in 10 ft. or so and you should be able to connect. I tried to get into upper Lac La Croix in early May to go for lakers but between the wind and the cold never made it to the fish.
Good Luck.
P.S. Buy a Trout Stamp even if you don't go trout fishing.

"Except as noted, anglers need a trout stamp validation and a fishing or sports license when fishing in designated trout streams, designated trout lakes, Lake Superior, or when in possession of trout or salmon."

Somehow this reminds me of the 2nd amendment in its ability to create different opinions.

Here is how I have looked at the meaning of the inclusion of the "in possession" part. I figure it could mean one of two things.

1. You are on a designated lake trout lake or near one and are not fishing however happen to have one or more in possession. How you got them doesn't matter just having them is a violation because you are in possession. If there was no "in possession" clause and you weren't seen fishing you wouldn't otherwise be in violation because the line states "when fishing". If for example the fish leaped into your canoe or it was given to you you would be OK. I actually had a 3 lb+ rainbow leap into my canoe in B.C. once and a large salmon leap out of the water, bite the top half of my pole off, and swim off with it.

or

2. You can fish for trout in non-designated streams and lakes but cannot keep them as catch and release only is allowed.

Personally I think #1 is the more likely and logical. If this were intended to apply to non designated lakes it likely would have been more specific.

I interpret the regulation more literally:

"anglers need a trout stamp validation and a fishing or sports license:

1) when fishing in designated trout streams, designated trout lakes, Lake Superior

2) or when in possession of trout or salmon."

In my mind, those are the two circumstances under which you MUST have a trout stamp. I think most people targeting lake trout on non-designated waters have purchased a trout stamp because they are hoping to end up with some lake trout in possession. But I could be completely wrong. Regardless, I've already bought a trout/salmon stamp validation for '08. Good fishing!

Absolutely, snakecharmer. In the absence of any clarification saying otherwise, lake trout are included.

If I ever see anyone checking for licenses I will ask them however I have a bad feeling if you asked 2 DNR people you might get 2 different answers just like here.

great discussion (and hijack) :) what was my original question again? :)

Try trolling the shore lines varying your depth as you troll. The lakers could be any where in the water column at that time of year. Chances are you will be able to catch them pretty shallow and won't need special weights to get any deeper. I have had good luck with this method and it seems that most are caught in less than 20 feet of water. I have also caught some by trolling shallow over deeper holes. Try using flashy spoons or rapala crank baits. I have had good luck with doctor, red eyes, little cleos, lindy forage minnows and krockodile spoons. The best colors seem to be silver, silver and blue, silver and green and silver and black. In the rapalas I like to use clown and fire tiger. I also recieved some tail dancers for christmas that I can't wait to try. I read several past posts that speak highly of those.

tony

Jan, if it's too windy to fish on the water you could run a line out with a frozen cisco on a hook and let it lay on the bottom and fish from shore, as the trout will be shallow that time of year. We have caught many that way. Just don't fall asleep and let the trout pull you in! If all else fails and you don't catch any, you can fry up the cisco's for a nice shore lunch.

yeah, i think you should get a trout stamp.

As good sportsmen and women,let's remember the purpose of the trout stamp--to develop the resource for future generations. I don't mind buying not just one but several extra stamps. For years I've kept a collection of waterfowl stamps for both my kids. That means I buy 3--one to hunt with and two to collect. The money goes for research, habitat improvement, etc... By buying stamps not only are we within the law but helping the resource. Buy early-Buy often!

All I can say is having a trout on your stringer when you get checked by the DNR in Minnesota, will make expensive trout at the Super Market look like a bargain.

I forgot to add "if you don't have a trout stamp" on the last entry!!

Kanoes....

I am doing the frost river loop in a week.

How did you do on Lake Trout last May?

Any advice? best lakes? best camping? any additional info you care to share! :)

Thanks in advance!

Cody

i actually didnt do any fishing.

advise....

the north site on frost lake east of the crescent beach is gorgeous.

take your time and enjoy the frost river more than i did.

be prepared for one long day on the river if you decide to blow past the one site on bologna.

on the river, be ready for alot of short paddles followed by short portages.

i dont know what your loop entails, but if youre heading out of sawbill, enjoy the two long portages. (hub, zenith)

have a great trip!

Kanoes its amazing how many different answers you got from your original question, i think your original question was what lures, how deep, and do you need a stamp, well if anyone asks this question in the future i will tell them start in 5 feet and work your way deeper with rapalas spoons and spinners at that time of year, and get a stamp even though you dont technically need one except on designated trout lakes, short and simple..

As was already mentioned, you do need a trout stamp when in possession of trout or salmon.

How much does a trout stamp cost?

an "endorsement" is $10. if you want the real stamp (you dont need it) i think its another 2 bucks.