Trout

Trout Lake is a 1,890-acre lake located just south of Coleraine, MN. There are three public accesses on Trout Lake. The 2019 lake management plan lists Walleye and Northern Pike as the primary species of management with Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass as secondary species. In 2005, a 17 to 26 inch protected slot length limit with only one fish over 26 inches in possession was implemented for Walleye. In 2020, the Walleye regulation was modified to 20 to 24 inch protected slot length limit with only one fish over 24 inches in possession to better align with other area lakes. The 2025 targeted survey was conducted to help evaluate management activities, including the special Walleye regulation and current stocking strategy. The management plan goal for Walleye is to maintain a catch near 6.6 fish/net, with fish longer than 15 and 20 inches ranging from 30-60% and 10-30% of the sample. Walleye catches have alternated between some of the lowest and highest catches in the last five surveys. The fact that the record high Walleye catch in 2013 was preceded and followed by the lowest catches in recent history provides an excellent example of the dynamic nature of fish populations. The 2025 catch of 8.3 fish/net achieved the management goal. The sampled fish ranged from 7.2 to 24.5 inches and averaged 15.5 inches. The management goals for size distributions were also met as 69 and 26% of the sample were longer than 15 and 20 inches. The 2025 survey evaluated a period of annual Walleye fry stocking since 2019 (except for 2020 COVID). Though natural reproduction has been well documented, larger year-classes tend to correspond to years with stocking. Eleven age-classes from age 1 to 21 were observed in the survey. Growth rates for the 2023 and 2024 age-classes were notably slower than prior years. Slower growth for these younger ages may be due to strong year-classes resulting in more competition for food or perhaps in response to the introduction of zebra mussels in recent years. However, growth of older fish remained good. Walleye averaged 14.4 inches after three years of growth, which was similar to the three prior surveys. The population should provide decent fishing based on the number and size of Walleye sampled. The management plan goal for Northern Pike is to maintain a catch of 3.0 fish/net, with 30-60% and 10-20% of the sample longer than 21 and 28 inches. Lower pike numbers are desirable because they tend to have faster growth and better size distributions. Pike catches have varied from 1.0 to 9.3 fish/gill net since 1946. The 2025 catch of 4.4/gill net did not meet the management goal but was near the lake average. The 2025 sampled pike ranged from 12.8 to 31.7 inches and averaged 22.4 inches. Size distributions did not achieve the management goals; 80% were longer than 21 inches and only 3% were longer than 28 inches. For four consecutive surveys the sample has been dominated by a few younger age-classes. In the last three surveys, all but one female was sexually mature even though they were small and young. Fast growth, early maturation, and essentially no older fish in four consecutive surveys may be an indication of angler over-harvest. Anglers can contribute to better size quality by focusing harvest on pike under 22 inches and releasing larger fish. Black Crappie are not sampled effectively in many lakes due to their behavior of suspending off the bottom, away from shallow cover, during the summer. The modest population appears to be in response to the lake only having a few shallow, protected bays that are important for recruitment. A total of 28 crappie were sampled for a catch of 1.9 fish/net, which was the highest catch since 2007. Fish ranged from 4.3 to 12.2 inches and averaged 8.7 inches. Smallmouth Bass populations appear to be expanding in many area lakes. Smallmouth Bass were sampled with spring night electrofishing three times since 2004 and the catches increased during that time. Summer gill nets can also be effective for sampling Smallmouth Bass in some lakes. Smallmouth Bass catches have distinctly increased in the last five surveys (average = 7.5/net) compared to 2004 and before (average = 0.8/net). Fish from age 1 to age 14 were present with age-6 fish the most common. Fish averaged 13.6 inches after five years of growth, which was similar to the prior survey. Smallmouth should provide quality angling opportunities based on the sample. Tullibee are an important prey species for large predators but can be difficult to sample with standard surveys because of where they are located during the summer. In 1946, the catch was 23.3 fish/net and since that time has never exceeded 3.8 (1989). In the last four surveys, the catch ranged from 0 to 0.4 fish/net. The low catches are poor indicators for the population but that is not the whole story. There are some encouraging signs for the population; the available cool water habitat appears to have increased following the improvements in the city's sewage treatment facility in the late 1980s, and the examination of predator stomachs in the last two surveys suggest Tullibee are more common than the gill net samples reflect. The Yellow Perch population has experienced major fluctuations over the years. The record high catch of 169.3/net in 1999 coincided with a period of poor Walleye fishing in contrast to the record low catch of 6.1/net in 2018 that coincided with good Walleye fishing. Though the 2025 catch of 9.5/net was an improvement, it remained distinctly below the lake average of 49.5 fish/net. Perch ranged from 4.8 to 9.1 inches and averaged 6.3 inches. Due to the perch size distribution, they are probably more important within the fish community as a prey source than as a species desired by anglers. Other species observed during the survey included Bluegill, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Rock Bass, White Sucker, and Yellow Bullhead.

Trout Lake is a large, fertile lake located immediately south of Coleraine, Minnesota. As a result of industrial and municipal practices within the watershed, the lake has experienced substantial changes in water quality and the fish community. The 2019 lake management plan lists Walleye and Northern Pike as the primary species of management with Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass as secondary species. Bluegill have typically been sampled in low numbers in summer assessments, but recent surveys indicated the population may be expanding. A targeted survey using electrofishing was conducted in June 2020 to collect more information on the Bluegill population. A total of 108 Bluegill were sampled. Fish ranged from 2.7 to 9.2 inches with an average length of 6.5 inches. Size structure was favorable as 62% of Bluegill exceeded 6 inches and 26% exceeded 8 inches. Ages 2 through 10 were represented and growth was faster than average compared to lakes with similar habitat. Bluegill averaged 7.3 inches after 6 years of growth. Trout Lake appears to offer good angling opportunities for Bluegill and may be considered a candidate for a reduced bag limit regulation in the future. Bluegill exceeding 9 inches have been sampled in all recent surveys. Anglers are encouraged to limit harvest to 5 or fewer Bluegill and release fish exceeding 8 inches.

The 2014 lake management plan indicates Walleye and Northern Pike as the primary species of management with Black Crappie, Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass as secondary species. In 2005, a 17 to 26 inch protected slot length limit with only one fish over 26 inches in possession was implemented for Walleye. The 2018 standard survey was conducted to help evaluate management activities, including the special Walleye regulation. The management plan goal for Walleye was to maintain a gill net catch of 10 fish/net. The Walleye gill-net catch rates have alternated between roughly 10 and 5 fish/net in the last four surveys. The fact that the record high Walleye catch in 2013 was preceded and followed by the lowest catches in recent history provides an excellent example of the dynamic nature of fish populations. In 2018, the catch of 5.1 Walleye/gill net did not attain the ambitious management goal; however, anecdotal accounts suggest there was considerable angling and harvest in the spring and early summer prior to the survey. The sampled fish ranged from 7.7 to 26.2 inches and averaged 17.7 inches. Nearly 40% of the sample was less than 17 inches, so despite the angler harvest, fishing success could remain good as they grow to sizes anglers prefer. The survey evaluated a period in which Walleye fry were stocked in two consecutive years followed by two years without stocking beginning in 2003-04. Although natural reproduction has been well documented on Trout Lake, the larger year-classes tended to correspond to stocked years. Fish were aged from 1 to 16 years old. Walleye averaged 14.6 inches after three years of growth, which was the similar to previous surveys. The management plan goal for Northern Pike was to maintain a gill-net catch of 3.0 fish/net. Low pike numbers are desirable because they generally result in populations with good growth and size distributions. They are also desirable because overabundant populations, dominated by small fish, can have negative effects on fish communities by feeding on important prey like Yellow Perch. Northern Pike catches have varied from 1.0 to 9.3 fish/net since 1946. Following the lowest catch on record (1.0 fish/net) in 2007, the catch increased in each of the next three surveys. The 2018 catch of 6.5/net was higher than desired and higher than most lakes similar to Trout. The sampled fish ranged from 16.8 to 29.6 inches and averaged 23.2 inches. For three consecutive surveys only four age-classes were identified, with very few older fish. In 2018, the 97 sampled fish ranged from age 2 to age 5, with the exception of one age-1 fish. Fast growth, early maturation, and no older fish in three consecutive surveys may be an indication of angler over-harvest. The new North-Central Zone regulation may not provide sufficient protection for medium and large fish in a lake like Trout, so anglers are encouraged to release some of the fish over 26 inches. Black Crappie are not sampled effectively in many lakes due to their behavior of suspending off the bottom and away from shallow cover during the summer. The modest population appears to be in response to the lake only having a few shallow, protected bays necessary for successful reproduction. The trap nets captured 25 fish for a catch rate of 1.8 fish/net while gill nets sampled six fish for a catch rate of 0.4 fish/net. The sampled fish ranged from 4.2 to 12.0 inches. Four age classes from age 1 to age 4 were sampled. Growth was somewhat slow (averaged 8.8 inches in four years) compared to other Class 22 lakes. Crappie fishing on Trout Lake can be good if you find them but they are not distributed all over the lake. Largemouth Bass were sampled with spring night electrofishing three times since 2004. The timing of the sample and local weather patterns can affect sampling success as much as actual changes in population characteristics. The catches were relatively stable from 2004 to 2018. In 2018, the sampled fish ranged from 5.2 to 17.2 inches and averaged 13.5 inches. Ten year-classes were estimated from scales with fish from age 2 to 13 present. The 2012 year-class represented 38% of the sample. Growth was similar to statewide averages for all ages. It required six years of growth to average 15 inches. Smallmouth Bass populations appear to be expanding in many area lakes. Smallmouth Bass were sampled with spring night electrofishing three times since 2004 and the catches increased from 2.5/hr in 2004 to 11.4/hr in 2018. Summer gill nets can also be effective for sampling Smallmouth Bass in some lakes. The gill net catches increased the last four surveys from 1.1 fish/net in 2004 to 8.9 in 2007, and remained at these higher levels in 2010 (6.6/net) and 2018 (8.9/net). The fish sampled in 2018 by electrofishing ranged from 11.1 to 19.1 inches (averaged 15.2 inches) while the gill net sampled fish ranged from 7.6 to 19.3 inches (averaged 15.2 inches). The population appears to have fairly consistent reproduction and moderate growth. There are sufficient fish to provide quality angling opportunities in Trout Lake. Tullibees are an important prey for many predators but they can be difficult to sample with standard summer surveys due to them spending a lot of their time in the open water. As a result, catch rates are generally low but they can be highly variable. In 1946, the gill net catch rate was 23.3 fish/net and since that time have never exceeded 3.8 (1989). The catch was 0.1 fish/net in the prior two surveys and none were sampled in 2018. Despite the very low catches, it might reflect an environmental success story. The improvements in the city's sewage treatment facility in the late 1980s appears to have resulted in an increase in available cool water habitat with improved oxygen levels down to over 30 feet. Therefore, the trend of low catches may in part be explained by the increase in available habitat, reducing Tullibee catchability in the nets. The Yellow Perch population has experienced major fluctuations over the years. The record high catch of 169.3/gill net in 1999 coincided with a period of poor Walleye fishing in contrast to the record low catch of 6.1/gill net in 2018 that coincided with good Walleye fishing. The catch was distinctly below the average catch from Trout and compared to other lakes with similar habitat. Yellow Perch lengths ranged from 5.8 to 10.0 inches and averaged 6.7 inches. Due to the perch sizes, they are probably more important within the fish community as a competitor and prey source than as a species desired by anglers.

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

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Trout. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

Trout has a maximum depth of 135 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Trout is from 2025.

Yes — Trout has confirmed flowering rush and zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.