According to the DNR’s Grand Marais fisheries office, Moss Lake has an abundance of 14- to 16-inch lake trout, while Birch offers smaller fish.

Mayhew Lake seems to have the most fishing potential with many lake trout in that small to medium range and some that are 24 inches or larger.

Mayhew also has a few brown trout that were stocked offering an added bonus should you hook into one of them.

For more information, contact the Grand Marais Area Tourism Association Web site at www.grandmarais.com or call (888) 922-5000.

OUTSIDE THE ARROWHEAD
Big Trout Lake
Crow Wing County
Big Trout Lake is probably the most accessible lake trout water in Minnesota with a boat landing on County Road 66 on the eastern shore and a channel leading to the Whitefish Chain of Lakes. Even with all that access, the deep waters of Big Trout don’t always freeze enough to be safely fished on the lake trout opener, so pay attention to local fishing reports before venturing onto the ice.

“In mild winters, the lake doesn’t form a lot of good ice, so there’s usually a lot of slush,” Brainerd area fisheries manager Tim Brastrup said. “Battling the slush is worth it, as long as the ice is thick enough.

“If the conditions are right on opening weekend, there will be 25 or more anglers out there, but as the season progresses it slows down.”

Brastrup’s coworker, Dale Lockwood, a fisheries specialist, said lake trout scatter throughout the lake during the ice-fishing season.

“Just off the public access there are some good underwater humps and bumps that don’t even show up on most maps,” Lockwood said.

“Lake trout are opportunist predators that feed on tulibee in deep water and perch and small bluegills when the water is cold.”

Brastrup said his favorite locations are the sharp breaks on the north end and a banana-shaped break between the upper and lower lake in 40 to 50 feet of water.

“I’ll use a variety of methods including jigging, throwing bait on the bottom or airplane jigs,” he said.

For more information, call (800) 450-2838, or visit the Brainerd Lakes Area Chambers of Commerce Web site at www.explorebrainerdlakes.com.

GRINDSTONE LAKE
Pine County
Grindstone Lake isn’t found on the designated list of Minnesota trout lakes, but its cold, deep waters are home to several species of trout, including lakers, rainbows and browns.

Because it’s not a designated trout lake, you don’t need a trout stamp to fish it, but if you want to keep the trout, you’ll need a stamp.

Located six miles west of Sandstone on County Road 27, the best access point is the boat landing on the northern shore. Grindstone receives moderate to heavy ice-fishing pressure though most attention is focused on the easier-to-catch rainbow trout.

“A lot of anglers will go out and try for a limit of rainbows then move to deeper water for the lakers,” said Heath Weaver, area fisheries specialist in Hinckley. “A recent netting survey confirmed a healthy lake trout population with many fish measuring 12 inches to 20 inches and a few 30-inchers found.”

Weaver said Grindstone’s large smelt population contributes to healthy lake trout numbers, but fishing is more challenging because the fish have easy access to forage.

Weaver said many fisheries employees go to Grindstone to catch trout.

My best advice is to fish the humps, including the rockpiles the state put in for spawning habitat in 35 feet of water,” he said noting the steep point by the access is a popular spot. “If you have a GPS with a chip showing lake contours, you can find a lot of great locations.” For more information about Grindstone Lake, call the Hinckley Convention and Visitors Bureau at (800) 952-4282 or visit www.hinckleymn.com./”