Hotspotoutdoors

Does anybody ice fish this lake? What are the main species targeted, I assume trout? How did you do, any good experiences in the past? I would like to give it a try this winter, looks like an interesting lake. Post pics of some fish you caught out there if you would like

I've only iced it a couple times, so I'm no expert. But yeah, the #1 species is trout. I've caught a bunch of tiny perch, smelt, and 1 small lake trout out of there. I'm planning on hitting the lake within the first week of the season this winter, so hopefully I can have some success.

Id like to tag along if you don't mind. I got all my own gear and extra if needed. Just wouldnt have a clue were to start, never caught a trout before. I got a place not to far away so I was definately planning on checking it out some time this winter

I fished it quite a few times last season. Doesn't mean I caught fish I've caught lake trout, streamers, crappies, perch and smelt there. Have never seen a lake trout bigger than 18" come outta there, but still a nice lake to fish. I like it because it offers a different species to target.

I was looking at this lake for the winter. I really like to catch a lake trout that isn't has far a going to my brother's place in Grand Rapids. I will be trying this lake out when we get walkable ice. Hope to see some of you there. MM what area of the lake did you concentrate on?

Remember lake trout aren't open on this lake until Mid January. Should be good ice by that time.

How do you catch a trout? I mean do I start deep, shallow, on breaks, do I use minnows, waxies, spoons?

Do you have access to electronics? If so, it will make things easier. I don't use them but that's because I'm cheap, not a purist. I like to fish humps and flats with access to deeper water near by. Some folks use minnows but I like to use dead ciscoes. I normally fish in the BWCA so I hate to have to carry live bait in and try to keep it alive. Speaking of the BWCA, if you go to the Duluth, Range BWCA forum, you can look at some excellent info about icefishing lakers. More knowledge than I have by far.

Craigums,

Redlantern is correct about picking up info in the BWCA forum. There's alot of info that's been posted.

You should be able to do fine on Grindstone trout with walleye sized lures - especially since Grindstone lakers usually aren't real large.

You can get lakers to go without tipping a lure with any meat but if you like to do that I would stick with minnow/smelt/cisco pieces.

Spoons, jiggin raps, curly tail plastics, tube jigs... they all work at some time or another. Just keep watching that flasher to see how interested they are.

If they charge it and don't hit - take it away and make em chase it. That can turn em on.

Remember this lake is a non-designated trout lake. Which means that one doesn't need a trout license to fish the lake, only if one wants to keep one. So as soon is there is good ice, you can fish the lake just don't keep any trout caught.

You may not intentionally fish for any species during its closed season.
Not saying that you intend to but try to convince a CO that you were using waxies for panfish and not streamers. I'd be suspicious if I were the CO.

You'll be able to catch all the 3 inch perch you'll ever want maybe a few smelt as well.

Don't forget the 2" sunfish!

what about pike on this lake?

Pike can be hard to target, but there are some pigs in there. I don't spear as I like to release most of my catch, but I've heard people can do really well and even see some big lakers down the spear hole.

As for fishing, I've had the most success for pike when I've been after lakers. It's not uncommon to find pike following a school of smelt. jig within or just above a school of smelt, pretty aggressively. When the smelt move on, you may find a laker or pike near behind, ready to bite.

I rarely target pike, but when I do it's usually with tip-ups. Be sure to vary your set-up. (It helps to have a few guys out there to take advantage of extra lines). Anywhere from 5 to 50 feet plus can hold fish, so make a line towards shore and don't be afraid to put the bait far off the bottom.

One of my problems is I'm usually rigged for lakers which means having a flourocarbon leader that pike can slice right through. So if you're not catching lakers, use a wire leader.

As for bait; suckers, shiners, and frozen smelt all work. Contrary to what many believe, it is NOT legal to catch smelt from Grindstone and use them, or part of them, as bait. Trust me, I asked the fisheries office and the local CO.

Areas to fish? You can always look to see where the spear houses are, but I've always had more luck avoiding the crowds.

Good luck!

If you catch smelt from grindstone, you can use them for bait in grindstone only! Unless their dead of course.

bassman:

Last year I just trotted out about 100 yards from the launch. Was fishing in about 40fow. Some people like to go deep for lakers, but I like the 40fow area. I've seen them caught in anything from 20-100FOW up in Burntside. For grindy, I like the 40-60fow mark. Caught my lakers on a jiggin spoon tipped with minnow head. My buddy had a tipup out and just sat and drank beer. Had 2 flags but no fish. I like to concentrate shallower in hopes of running into some streamers as well. Maybe see you out there jan 15?

Just a note Grindstone is still open water as of 12/13/09. I am sure getting pumped for trout season though!

Thanks for the ice report KG. Yeah I usually don't hit grindstone till later in the year, as the ice can vary so much is a deep lake.

anybody try for the smelt during winter? before trout season? they may add a bit of a challenge to a persons fishing but still good eating.

I've caught them, wasn't "targeting" them though. It's fun watching the vexilar light up when a school swims through. I'm gonna try to get up there during the week after the opener.

I havent targeted them but caught one on the biggest jigin rap I had! I could'nt even tell he hit it, funny part is he got his mouth around all three hooks and the treble!

A laker is a laker is a laker, eh? Same thing with smelt.

Sounds like the same patterns for B-side trout should work fine in Grindstone. Those smelt can sure get piggish.

Last season I tried a Nils instead of a Jiggin Rap and think I'm going to start buying them instead just for the fact they have that little tear drop attractor on the treble. It seemed to get just a few more hits.

Here's a pic with my smallest laker ever. Guys who've been to BWCA forum will recognize this.

That is a cool pic. How'd it taste?

What kind of jig is that? Is it really a nils?