Trout

Little Trout Lake looks to be the typical bass/panfish lake we see so often in this area. While there are fish to be caught, limited access to the lake (gravel/sand ramp with limited parking and no dock) as well as its distance from larger towns, may discourage anglers from visiting the lake. Largemouth Bass were quite numerous in Little Trout Lake (8.0/gill net). Average length was 11.6", with 33% of the fish measuring 12" or larger. Electrofishing was not done as part of this survey. Bluegill numbers were average (10.7/trap net), but size was good. Average length was 7.1" and 70% of the fish were 7" or larger. Black Crappie (3.0/gill net) similarly had some nice fish, with a mean length of 8.5" and 83% measuring 8" or larger. While Walleye are stocked into Little Trout as fingerlings, the number per net has dropped each of the past five surveys. They were present in average numbers in this survey (1.3/gill net). Average size was good at 19.4" and all of the fish were over 18". Northern Pike were present in average numbers (11.0/gill net), but size was down from past surveys. Average size was 18.5", with no fish in the 22-26" protected slot and only 9% above 26".

If a person takes a trip to Little Trout Lake, they should have plenty to fish for. While fish numbers were high, their smaller size and limited access to the lake (gravel/sand ramp with limited parking) may temper initial excitement some. Walleye are stocked into Little Trout as fingerlings in odd numbered years. They were present in average numbers in this survey (1.7/net). Average size was good at 16.7" and 80% were 12" or larger. Northern pike were present in high numbers (16.8/net). Average size was 19.4" and 14% were 24" or larger. Bass were quite numerous in Little Trout Lake (8.2/net); however, average length was small at 10.9". Of all fish measure in gill nets, 31% were 12" or larger. Bluegill numbers were also high at 49.1/net. Average length was 6.5" and 31% were 7" or larger. Only one black crappie was captured this survey.

Little trout is a 114 acre lake located about one mile southwest of Emily. There is a public access off the township road on the east side of the lake. The lake has a maximum depth of 22 feet and about 45% of the lake is less than 15 feet deep. Lake water is moderately hard and water clarity is typical for this area. Shallow water soils are mostly sand and gravel. Emergent aquatic plants help provide quality spawning habitat for bass and panfish species. The submergent plants provide important food and cover for a wide variety of aquatic species. A population assessment was done in 2009. Walleyes have been stocked in alternate years at a rate of one pound per littoral acre (51 lbs.) since the 1980s. The walleye catch decreased somewhat in 2009 but remains in the "average" category compared to similar type lakes. Size averaged 18.5 inches and 2.2 pounds. Four age classes were sampled and growth remained in the "good" category. Fish from years with stocking comprised the majority of the walleye catch. The northern pike catch continued to climb and was, again, the highest to date. Size averaged 25.3 inches and 4.25 pounds in 2009. Sixty four percent of the pike were at least 24 inches long and 17% were at least 30 inches long. Ages 6, 5 and 2 were the strongest year classes present and growth was "good." Largemouth bass abundance remained in the "high" category. Bass as large as seventeen inches were again sampled and growth was in the "good" category. Bluegill abundance dropped into the "average" category for the first time in 2009, a significant decrease from previous nettings. Bluegills at least 7.0 inches long comprised 22% of the catch and growth was in the "good" category. Black crappies were only sampled in gill nets in 2009. Two age classes were sampled. Fish to 13.3 inches long were present and growth was "good." Perch abundance dropped slightly in 2009 but was fairly similar to catches in the previous three nettings. Four age classes were sampled and growth was "good." Other species sampled in 2009 included bowfin (dogfish), hybrid sunfish, pumpkinseed, rock bass, white sucker and yellow bullhead. Black and brown bullheads were sampled in 2003 but not in 2009.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Rock Bass, Walleye, Bluegill, Black Crappie, and Hybrid Sunfish in Trout. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Trout. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Trout has a maximum depth of 22 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Trout is from 2021.

No invasive species are on record for Trout in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.