Zak 2 Report post Posted December 22, 2019 Has anyone been to any of the stocked rainbow lakes yet this year if so did you have any luck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
medy 17 Report post Posted December 23, 2019 About a foot of ice on them. My auger broke after the first hole so I only fished one shallow hole with no luck. Somebody had been out a few days before and "swiss cheesed" the shoreline. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zak 2 Report post Posted December 23, 2019 Have you ever had any luck fishing for the stocked rainbow I’ve tried 2 times came up empty both time any suggestions for em? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
medy 17 Report post Posted December 23, 2019 Way easier to catch during the fall open water. Limited success in the winter, I usually use salted minnows and small spoons. First light/last light is usually best. Finicky is a polite word for them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
2112 174 Report post Posted December 23, 2019 I have zero clue if this stands true for inland stocked lakes, but on superior ive had 3 rainbow experiences on the ice and all times they hit my herring line while out fishing for whities in anywhere from 25-40ft. Maybe try jigging a little cleo or buckshot or one of those lindy rattling flyers a foot below the ice? Something to try anyways. Good luck. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zak 2 Report post Posted December 23, 2019 Thanks for the tips I’ll have to get out again this year and try my luck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zackcorbin1401 542 Report post Posted December 24, 2019 I always get out a couple times early ice for rainbows. Generally I set on jawjacker with a jig and a peice of worm or a minnow on it . The second rod is in my hand with a small spoon. 75% of the time I get the fish on the jacker. I usually fish 10-30 ft deep and allways fish mid column for rainbows but they can be anywhere. I’ve caught them 6ft down in 80ft if water. Hell of a fight for small fish 2 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AB 98 Report post Posted December 25, 2019 I used to fish many of the Manitoba stocked lakes in the Whiteshell Park next to the Ontario border. A still line with a small jig and nitecrawler, a foot or two off the bottom in 6 to 10 ft of water was a nice start. A small black/gold or black/silver jigging rapala was the standard goto presentation for the second rod. We would target 6 to 8 ft of water around submerged wood or known weedbeds always produced fish. Bigger fish would be caught suspended over deeper watet, but fish near the shorelines were generally more active. I agree, lb for lb a rainbow under the ice fights way above its weight class. Good luck! AB Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zak 2 Report post Posted December 25, 2019 Thanks for all the info Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CountDupu 28 Report post Posted December 28, 2019 I haven't gone out this year but I have gone the last couple and caught a couple nice rainbows out of the small potholes near whitefish . Usually I jig a small Cleo or William's wobbler jigging spoon tipped with a minnow head in 15ft or so. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zak 2 Report post Posted December 29, 2019 What lake do you find most productive? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zackcorbin1401 542 Report post Posted December 29, 2019 14 hours ago, Zak said: What lake do you find most productive? They are all pretty decent but look at the stocking lists to determine the best bet. Not many fish get put into those lakes. Pothole is a near vertical walk down the the lake. 81e is more of a walk but definitely not as harsh, as for jinx I’ve never fished 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
