Stocked trout in Lakes

[Dejon Hamann]

What tactics do you use?  Especially in high wind?

[Mark Hanes]

you forgot to add very very muddy lakes!

[Chris Puchniak]

When you say "stocked spawning" trout, are you meaning targetting trout that are dark and prowling the shoreline in lakes without any inlets/outlets (no chance of spawning unless it's a char - brookie), or lakes with stocked trout where there is an creek for them to actually spawn in?

Spawners in general are very aggressive and prone to high catch rates usually.  Shallow waters near any gravel patches or creeks (if present) with larger flies often would provoke aggression strikes (as their feeding instincts are somewhat depressed).  They are usually schooling much more as well, concentrating them in small areas.  In many of our lakes which have no spawning creek/channel, they are not targetted (very discouraged) for a few reasons - slower fight, higher mortlality...  So around here spawning fish, unless in a river system or a lake with spawning habitat where they can clean up and recover fast, aren't really targetted to much.

And why the high wind, muddy water reference?  Did someone have a bad day out fishing lately? 

High winds might push them out of the shallows if the water is too silty and they are not looking to feed.

[Mark Hanes]

I would not say they were spawning more than they were stockers that happened to have eggs in them.  Our intel came from the bait fisherman that had to show up the trout he caught was full of eggs.  We had not luck using anything for streamers to nymphs.  I pulled boobys and blobs with no success.  The lake is very muddy with maybe a foot of visibility.

[Jeremiah Hamilton]

Sounds like the lake is in turn over, just wait a week it will be fine. As far as stocky are full of eggs that is normal, up here we see that all the time, I asked once about it, the parks guy said it was because they raise this fish all year long so it screws up there maturity and they will be back to normal the following year.

[Jeremiah Hamilton]

Here is a little about it

Lake turnover usually occurs 1-2 weeks after the ice comes off the lake in the spring. The sun melts the ice and warms the surface water until it eventually reaches it's most dense state st 4C (39F). This most dense or heavier water now follows the laws of physics and wants to sink to the bottom. As it begins to sink it displaces the less dense water below causing a complete flip-flop of the water column in the lake.

Turnover is quite an event for the body of water in which it occurs. It stirs up the lake bottom creating floating decayed vegetative debris and drastically increases the turbidity of the water. Oxygen levels decrease for a short period and the fish usually turn off from feeding. This event usually last from 1-2 weeks, depending on the wind. When the turn is done, the oxygen levels rise quickly and the fish, get hungry and start to feed again.

[Dejon Hamann]

Spawning was the wrong term... "spitting" and "dropping" would be more appropriate.  I'm sure this must be a fairly common occurrence the world over where people pursue stocked trout on lakes and reservoirs that have no wild reproduction nor the habitat to sustain it. 

Stocked trout have, among many other inbred shortcomings, a tendency to drop eggs at incoherent times.  Only makes sense that if there are fish dropping eggs... there must be other fish picking them up.

I was curious what kind of presentations people might use in theses circumstances: static bung, slow deep blob retrieve, etc. 

[Chris Puchniak]

What are the water temperatures?  We'll know it's in turnover if its 4 Degrees C (39F).  If it is far from that, you may be past turnover.  Bu tthat would really slow fishing as the O2 levels are extremely low leading to lethargic fish.  Slow and easy is the best tactic - or find a different lake.  If it is not in turnover and just murky water, then there are other tactics.

Are these holdover fish or fresh stocked fish in spawn?  It does make a difference for targetting.

[Pat Weiss]

Its not a matter of an incoherent time for the fish..  There are over 200 different strains of cultured rainbow trout, many of which spawn at different times of the year than you would think for a "normal" rainbow, as late as December for example.  Heck, there are even strains that can thrive in 70 degree water. As for them being inbred, that can often be the case, but that depends on the facility where theyre raised and its particular goals, youd be amazed at the measures taken to assure genetic diversity when its appropriate.  The reason you see so many mutants is because theyre protected in their captive environment, and are able to survive because they live on easy street.  In the wild these fish would never make it past fingerling size if they even hatched at all.
Aside from the aforementioned reasons regarding lake turnover and the like, gravid female hatchery trout eat a a drastically reduced rate, as will the males.  Their minds and hormones are elsewhere.  Sure, they still eat, but not like they did before their eggs matured.  As most trout stocked at a particular time are the same age, it could stand to reason that the majority of the females available were in the same condition.  Now, I dont know the stocking procedures for where you were or the lake characteristics for that matter, so I can only speak for the variable that I know.  Your mileage may vary..

[Dejon Hamann]

If I remember correctly it was 45 near the deeper sections and 50 in the shallow bay.  Finding a different lake is an option, but doesn't solve the puzzle and coming from a competition standpoint I always like to figure out how to rectify my blanks. 

There were most likely a mix of "holdovers" and recently stocked fish in 3 primary species.  A real mixed bag of fish.  Theoretically, the state just put in 300 nice 15" Browns, but supposedly local clubs drop fish in all the time.  I guess there were fish added for an ice fishing derby too. 

Despite the visibility issue it was frustrating because there were many fish registering on the fishfinder.

More than anything I was wondering if anyone had any successful experience keying in on fish that are keyed in on eggs on a lake.  In a river it would be second nature. 

What are the water temperatures?  We'll know it's in turnover if its 4 Degrees C (39F).  If it is far from that, you may be past turnover.  Bu tthat would really slow fishing as the O2 levels are extremely low leading to lethargic fish.  Slow and easy is the best tactic - or find a different lake.  If it is not in turnover and just murky water, then there are other tactics.

Are these holdover fish or fresh stocked fish in spawn?  It does make a difference for targetting.

[Jim Frazier]

um dejon did you say fish finder ? what is that exactly ?  i never fished a lake for trout but wouldn't they eat the same things as fresh stockies anywhere ? eggs , spawn , bright soft hackles etc.

[Mark Hanes]

I really think the visibility in this lake is poor no matter what the time of year.  I was able to get a crappie to the boat and had a handfull of them on that I did not land with a very fast retrieve.  I think the fish almost have to feed by keying on movement.  I got all the action on a big leech pattern with a rabbit tail. 

[Janos Boda]

Dejon:

I am not sure if I have all the necessary information here, but here are some suggestions to try.

Different versions of egg sucking leech could work. I use black, olive, and brown woolly bugger with orange bead head or just an orange dubbing at the front. For sure a fly with some orange on it could work. Orange P-Quad is good too. Slow retrieve could work, but fast retrieve could work as well. I would also try minnow patterns with some gold color in them. It does not hurt to try backswimmer patters.

Still if water temperatures are 45-50 F, low water visibility, high winds, that means tough fishing, in a competition session catching one fish could mean winning the session .  In 3 hours session you could try at least 10-20 patterns and different retrieving techniques, as I said one fish could be the winner.

[Mark Adams]

Just curious.  I've fished lakes for stockers a few times and always rigged with only one fly, usually a streamer of some sort.  Do any of you guys drop anything off the streamer??  I know everything would have to be off a tag.  I'm just looking for rigging ideas and suggestions.  Thanks in advance to those willing to share,
Mark

[Dejon Hamann]

My standard rig is 3 fles on straight 3x separated by 6ft.

[Mark Adams]

Thanks, Dejon.  I was wondering about issues with tangling when casting multiple fly rigs.  I'm guessing it's probably no worse than when nymphing or dry/dropper.
Mark

[Dejon Hamann]

Big open loops and pt side tags help reduce tangles but inevitably you will get wind knots. The benefit of fishing 3 well spaced and chosen flies far outweighs the hassles though.

[Mark Adams]

Thanks, Dejon.  I will probably limit myself to 2 flies for a while.  I'm thinking a streamer and perhaps a soft hackle (or egg) dropper for stockers.
Mark

[Chris Puchniak]

Give the 2-fly rig a try (especially in high winds - it can be better than 3 flies), but don't hesitate to go to 3 flies.  Honestly, the first hour or two might be a hassle as you adjust, and you might get a few tangles, but after a day of doing it, it should be as easy as casting one fly (almost).  And to make it easier, carry a couple of 3-fly rigs pre-tied and ready to go.  That way, if you do get a nasty tangle, just cut it off your leader, put in away, tie on a fresh one, and worry about untangling the old one when you get home (salvage what you can and scrap the rest if it's too knotted).

I come from an area where generally a single fly is the law - with minor exceptions.  So I had to adapt to multiple flies for comp fishing.  Tangles are very rare nowadays.  Matter of fact, I can't recall the last time I had to re-tie a leader - and that's just because I forced myself to practise.  Really, for me it only took a couple fo hours to get it under control.  The first hour was a tad messy, I have to admit... lol.

[Mark Adams]

Thanks for the input, Chris.  I'll be lake fishing in a couple of weeks and will go with at least a 2 fly rig.
Mark