Ice fishing for trout opens New Year’s Day for lakes located entirely within BWCA

The ice fishing season for trout on inland lakes located entirely within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness opens Saturday, Jan. 1.

Stream trout and lake trout can be caught by anglers willing to brave the cold temperatures expected this weekend in the BWCA. The high temperature for the Mid-Gunflint Trail area on the opening day of the trout season is below zero. Overnight lows on New Year’s Eve and Saturday night are expected to be in the high teens below zero or 20-below zero, possibly colder. Wind chill values will make these temperatures feel even colder.

Lake trout will be a primary target for many anglers this weekend, though some lakes in the BWCA do hold other species of trout as well. Stream trout are defined as splake, brook, brown and rainbow trout. The possession limit remains unchanged, at five, with not more than three fish longer than 16 inches. The possession limit for lake trout is two.

Examples of lakes that open for trout fishing this weekend on the eastern side of the BWCA include Daniels, Ram and Topper.

Lakes that are partially inside the BWCA do not open to trout fishing this weekend. Examples of lakes that are not open to trout fishing on Jan. 1 include Clearwater, Seagull and Meditation.

WTIP’s Joe Friedrichs spoke with Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Conversation Officer Kylan Hill about the upcoming trout opener in the BWCA.

Joe Friedrichs December 29, 2021