BRAINERD AREA

To most anglers, Brainerd is the center of the walleye fishing world as well as the gateway to the big waters of north-central Minnesota. But two trout streams in the area receive low fishing pressure despite boasting healthy populations of brook trout and brown trout.

Stony Brook

“There is one section of private land where the stream makes an elbow, but the property owner allows anglers to walk in the stream and fish,” said Tim Brastrup, fisheries supervisor for the DNR in Brainerd.

A naturally reproducing population of brown trout and brook trout swim the numerous riffles and pools in numbers rivaling some southeastern streams. There is tremendous trophy potential, and Brastrup said brown trout in the 3- to 5-pound range are catchable. The brook trout tend to be relatively small, possibly due to overharvest of fish over 10 inches. “We’ve batted around the idea of putting special regulations on the stream for brookies but nothing is finalized just yet,” he said.

Stony Brook is best accessed through a Lake Shore city park known as Fritz Loven Park. The park has picnic and restroom facilities along with parking for several vehicles. It is located on Ridge Road, which runs between Highway 77 on the south and County Road 29 on the north (both connect to State Highway 371).

Cory Brook

Located just west of Stony Brook, Cory Brook is a trout stream that has been rehabilitated and will be ready to fish in 2005.

The DNR stocked the stream in 2002 and 2003 with first-generation brook trout from southeastern Minnesota. A trout survey taken by Brastrup in the fall of 2004 showed a healthy supply of 8-inch brook trout that will only continue to grow.

Cory Brook had trophy potential in the past, and with the rehabilitation effort going strong, should have trophies in the future, Brastrup said. Practicing catch-and-release during these sensitive years is not being required but will certainly help the stream continue to develop into a quality trout brook once again.

Except for a small portion of the headwaters, Cory Brook is accessible by public land and private land easements. Cory Brook can be accessed from Highway 1 north of Pillager off State Highway 210 or from County Road 29. The best way to find Cory Brook is at the intersection of Highway 1 and County Road 29. From there, Cory Brook parallels Highway 1 on the west, eventually crossing it near the point where it meets Home Brook.