The inland winter trout opener is this weekend around the Twin Cities. We tried last year on a stocked lake and didn't have any luck using waxies and Berkley trout bait (the kind you roll in a ball). The predominant species are Rainbow, Brown and Brookies. Any tips you can offer for some tight lines?!

Try some small vertical jiggng spoons. I love a blue and silver kastmaster, tipped with a wax worm , or piece of crawler. This requires pretty much constant jigging. A lot of times they will hit a dead stick after the movement of the spoon attracts them in.

I've posted this a couple of times, but we made this video with our exact location for anyone wanting to try and catch some bwca lake trout. Tough hike, but fun trip.

Seagull lake ice fishing

I like the Berkley power bait in the string of pearl configuration better than the dough stuff. Just pinch a bait off and put it on a single hook. You can usually catch 5 or 6 on one bait.

quote Saberboys: "The inland winter trout opener is this weekend around the Twin Cities. We tried last year on a stocked lake and didn't have any luck using waxies and Berkley trout bait (the kind you roll in a ball). The predominant species are Rainbow, Brown and Brookies. Any tips you can offer for some tight lines?!"

Get out early and start( very shallow) less than 4 f o w. You are using the right bait, just drill a line of holes going from shallow to deep and gradually work your way out deeper. p.s. Even in deep water continue to work your bait up shallow at times, even up to just under the ice. Ive seen numerous times fish hit the bait right at the hole in very deep water.

I have had really good luck using Swedish pimples, tipped with a 1/2 shiner. Make sure that you drain all the water out of the bag and cover them in salt, as live bait is not allowed on most stream trout lakes.

Also, mix up the base of your Swedish pimples....some with a nickel base and some with the copper base. Sometimes that is all it takes to get them to start hitting!