I live 30 minutes from my favorite Iowa stream, 15 minutes from Lake Marinuka in Galesville, WI, and 3 hours from Milwaukee.

Every winter, I usually go to the big pond at least 3 times for ice fishing. I love to catch the big browns hand over hand tip up style.  Typically I use 6 lbs mono and large fat head minnows.

The largest I've see on the ice is a 34 inch brown. 

Looking to top that this year (if there's ever ice on the pond)

Looks like your pics aren't uploading. That has been an issue with this site since it's inception it seems. I suggest trying the "Make Test Posts Here" forum topic near the bottom of the main forums page until you get it figured out.

Captain, thanks for your input! We caught this beauty last year.

That's a monster! It's as big as a pike!

Our average trout is 25 inches for the big pond. Typically CPR, but this was an exception. Of course, we do keep em for the smoker if we damage them.

It's a blast pulling them in hand over hand with a tip-up.

That's one sweet brown, my friend. We have them that large here in CA, but danged if I've ever seen them. I'm a born and raised Iowan who cut his teeth trout fishing local creeks in NE Iowa, Clayton Country to be exact. Tip-ups back then was for bass and pike on the frozen Mississippi River. Our winter trout fishing consists of fly fishing creeks and rivers in the "high desert". Often, we'll fish on snow lined banks, but it was a little dry last year. These pics were of my wife and daughter on an icy morning in February last year. Plenty of browns, but nothing like what you've just shown us. But still a lot of fun, just the same.

Those are beautiful trout! Don't let the size issue become a factor when it comes to trout. I know a place just outside of Gays Mills, WI where a friend of mine has a private pond stocked with big trout. A few years ago, there was a flood and these trout escaped into a near by stream. Every night at about 500, my friend feeds his pond trout, then walks to the stream and (used to) hand feed the trout from the bridge attached to his drive way. These huge stream trout vary in size up to close to 30 inches; but when you walk up to the stream bank they will swim up to you looking for a hand out. They are also nearly impossible to catch because they are used to eating pellets. Funny thing is, if you gently approach the stream and tickle the water with your finger, they will nip at your finger tips.

I look at catching these trout like shooting the biggest buck in a petting zoo.

Size doesn't matter when it comes to fishing, the amount of fun and connection with nature you walk away with does. 25-35 inch great lakes trout is equal to 15-18 inch cold stream trout.

CRA: Have you ever made the trip to Racine or Kenosha for the tributary fishing on the Root and Pike?

Posted By CRA on 02 Jan 2012 07:18 AM
Those are beautiful trout! Don't let the size issue become a factor when it comes to trout. I know a place just outside of Gays Mills, WI where a friend of mine has a private pond stocked with big trout. A few years ago, there was a flood and these trout escaped into a near by stream. Every night at about 500, my friend feeds his pond trout, then walks to the stream and (used to) hand feed the trout from the bridge attached to his drive way. These huge stream trout vary in size up to close to 30 inches; but when you walk up to the stream bank they will swim up to you looking for a hand out. They are also nearly impossible to catch because they are used to eating pellets. Funny thing is, if you gently approach the stream and tickle the water with your finger, they will nip at your finger tips.

I look at catching these trout like shooting the biggest buck in a petting zoo.

Size doesn't matter when it comes to fishing, the amount of fun and connection with nature you walk away with does. 25-35 inch great lakes trout is equal to 15-18 inch cold stream trout.

I hear ya, man.  We've fished Lake Tahoe with a guide a couple of times now; as recently as two months ago.  We're trolling for lake trout down to 200'!  When you hook up, you crank that baby up from those deaths and you suddenly lose any fighting ability these fish had.  Half of the fish come to the surface with air bladders extended out their mouths.  This is strictly catch and keep, unfortunately.  They can get huge, but ours only averaged about 3# - 5# on our two trips.  That's why we enjoy hiking to icy creeks and rivers during the winter to fly fish for beautiful browns like you see above.  In my opinion, a more memorable fishing experience.

Any Trout is a good trout!!!that being said here in Wisconsin in the Driftless area!!! we have some of the best Trout fishing period!!!!

Those are some good looking trout, im looking to catch a few this year but the weather isn't cooperating with us XD

I went to go to my favorite trout fishing spot on Lake Marinuka and saw open water. Next week, I'm going to Iowa if these warm temps keep up. My favorite stream is 15 minutes away from Viterbo University

CRA: no matter what the weather is, ya stand a good chance of the stream being open!!! as long as it has a good flow!

Last year at this time, there was cars and ATV's parked on my favorite part of the Lake.  Now, open water

Also talked to a few contacts in the Milwaukee area, no ice in the harbors! By now, I'm planning my second trip to Milwaukee. Guess I'll have to run down there with my canoes and work the tribs.

Posted By Ktuck on 08 Jan 2012 01:14 PM
Those are some good looking trout, im looking to catch a few this year but the weather isn't cooperating with us XD

Best guide I know on the big lakes is Eric Haataja.  He is my good friend and is known for his GIANT trout and lots of other species.

I've fished with Eric. Nice guy. He's showed me a thing or two about harbor browns. Looking forward to running into him in a few months.