Mining pit fishing

[Mell]

I live in northern MN and sometimes get the urge to go trout fishing. Does anyone have pointers on what to use for lakers and brookies.

[Kaz]

Mell: I thought the mining pits were closed to fishing because of the bacteria from the fish dung. Is there still fish in the flooded mine pits?? I would think you would fish the lakers and trout the same as you would in Superior, spoons with a flasher. A squid or a fly. Down riggers would be necessary too. They must be 500 to 1000 ft deep, are they not. Sounds like something new to go for!!! Good luck FISHING...Kaz

[Mell]

Dung Bacteria huh? Well cants say I've heard that one. no not all of the mining pits are closed to winter fishing. My friend caught a 3# brookie last year wintering.

[fishin_fool]

I have occasionally fished for Rainbows and Lakers in one of the pits here on the Iron Range. In the winter I usually just use a jig and a big shiner under my FL-8. In the spring I usaully use Reef Runners, # 9 Shads, and Bombers. Fire Tiger and clown has been the best color for me. Some of the stocked rainbows get big when no one catches them. I have saw one over ten pounds and one over 12 pounds. Hav'nt saw a laker over 8 or 9 yet but they keep getting bigger. According to the DNR those big rainbows are very close to dying of old age so there is no harm in taking one for the wall but put the lakers back if you get into them so that we can catch one of them for the wall in future years.

[jimbo2]

Its been a while since I was at the Gilbert pit but when I used to go there I caught them on a swedish pimple and a piece of crawler, yes in the winter. I couldn't believe it either.
There was one guy that used blasting caps and corn, but I wouldn't recommend that.
Which pits where you going to? I have heard that Miners is doing pretty good.
Good luck.

[Mell]

I have fished many. The most recent being Embarrass. There are some very large lakers.

[jimbo2]

Mel,
Are you driving out, taking a snow machine or walking?
Is the access still at the north side?
one more? How are you fishing them? Sounds like a good time.
thanks

[Mell]

yeah it's still on the north side and we do drive out. I have had good luck with anything silver or blue tipped with a shiner. bite very well all day long.(at least for us anyway!) Had constant action around 25 feet right in front of the landing

[jimbo2]

Thanks Mell,
Are you from Biwabik or Aurora? I hope the LTV thing didn't hurt you. I'm from Duluth, maybe I'll see you there, I've got a purple otter house, if you see one it might be me.
thanks again.

[cisco]

I haven't fished the mine pits, but I've taken lots of trout thru the ice by jigging Swedish pimples and Jig-a-Whoppers. I prefer the phosphorescent ones and keep them light-charged.

For the lakers you might also try the Airplane Jig. It looks like an abortion, but it takes fish.

Good luck.

[jimbo2]

At the risk of sounding prudish, maybe an airplane jig looks like a "real joke" or something.
I've used them, they are good.
sorry if I'm a little touchy on this one.

[cisco]

The expression is used simply to indicate it is ugly. Sorry if it offended you. No offense was intended.

[jimbo2]

Mell,
Are you going this weekend?
I might go on friday.
good luck.

[Mell]

Sorry but i am heading up to the Winnepeg river to catch some greenbacks. Hope you catch some biguns. Lucky Seven for the shiners in Biwabik. You'll understand what i mean when you u buy em'.

Godd luck

[hoghunter]

What part of Duluth ya from Jimbo?

[jimbo2]

I live in Rice Lake Township, 10 acres of pople, timber wolves, army worms and mosquitos.
Do you live here in Gods country too?

[Xplorer]

Hey jimbo2,
I live just north of Esko and have thought about trying the range mine pits but just never did it. Make a couple trips to ontario for lakers each winter (was on lower manitou two weekends ago and iced 11 in 1 1/2 days). If you are considering going up some weekend day and need a partner to split costs let me know. I'm always game to try someplace new. I've got my father-in-law coming over this weekend to fish the St Louis tho. The 17/18 is free.

Mell,
I have had the best luck in canada with a 1/2 oz bucktail (white,yellow,glow,blue,green) tipped with a salted shiner, 1/4 and 1/2 oz airplane jigs w/shiner, white tube jigs/shiner, and swedish pimples/shiner head for lakers. Havn't fished for rainbows thru the ice. For splake a pimple and salted crappie minnow have worked best for me. Do you know of any listing that has the pits open to fishing and what type of trout is in each??
If not comfortable posting here cedland@d.umn.edu is my email.
Good Luck on those bruisers. So many lakes,so little time, Xplorer