Mine Pit Trout: Stocking up is annual effort
Six thousand yearling trout weighing in at about 1 ton were introduced to the clear waters of the Huntington Mine Pit within the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area near Crosby this spring and summer.
Six thousand yearling trout weighing in at about 1 ton were introduced to the clear waters of the Huntington Mine Pit within the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area near Crosby this spring and summer.
That may seem like enough fish to feed the needs of area fishermen, but Minnesota DNR fishery specialists have to restock those fish on an annual basis. In fact they just added more from surplus supplies in recent weeks and may do so again if supplies allow. In all, they stocked nearly 60,000 trout in the region’s trout fisheries.
The trout aren’t just a hot item for an angler’s dinner plate. They are also a major food source for fish that were not stocked by the DNR. Namely growing northern pike and bass.
Owen Baird, fishery management specialist out of the Brainerd fishery management area said most of the mine pit lakes received trout in late April or early May, just before the start of the fishing opener as part of the DNR’s management plan. Those fish are put there with the hope that anglers catch and keep them.
Most of the trout going into the 11 mine lakes in the Cuyuna Range are of two strains of yearling rainbow trout – Kanloops and Arlee. The Kanloops come from the Spire Valley State Fish Hatchery near Outing and the Arlee come from Lanesboro State Fish Hatchery in Lanesboro.
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Baird said a yearling trout is in the 7- to 10-inch range – big enough for the frying pan.
“They are big enough for people to catch,” Baird said. “You could stock bigger fish but that’s more of an expense.”
Other trout species going out to the area can include brook trout and brown trout. While most are of the yearling size, the occasional whopper is released from the hatchery into these lakes and presents a nice surprise.
As of last year, the pits were opened to winter fishing, a first since they opened to fishing in the 1960s. With some added pressure on the fishery, Baird said he hopes they can begin adding some trout in the fall as well.
“Stocking all those (trout) in the spring … there tends to not be a whole lot of those left,” Baird said. “A lot got eaten by somebody or something.”
The crystal clear waters of the mine pits don’t allow the ill-equipped trout much of a chance against the sharp eyes of the predator fish. Anglers, too, can catch the trout’s attention easily with either fly or tackle.
“We’re looking at trying to get a little extra fish in the fall,” Baird said. “Some of that is contingent on the hatcheries.”
It would help extend your chances of hooking a trout throughout the year. Baird said the change to the trout season in the areas of Crow Wing and Cass counties is permanent.
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If you go
Anglers fishing on designated trout lakes are reminded:
· A trout stamp is required.
· Fishing hours are one hour before sunrise to 11 p.m.
· One fishing line per angler, including while ice fishing.
· No live minnows are allowed, including live spearing decoys.
· Walleye, panfish and other species can be pursued during much of the winter trout season – see species-specific closure dates for trout waters.
· Fishing is allowed only when the trout season is open. Taking of any species – including catch and release, is prohibited during closed seasons for trout.
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To find out more on what fish have been stocked and where in Minnesota, visit www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/index.html and type in the county the lake is found.
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