Trout Run Creek Fishing Report Updated 04/21/24
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Fly and Gear ordering and delivery: We can get flies to you within two to three business days from the time you place your order via Priority Mail. If you provide a budget for flies, we will select them to match the budget and get them to you on time for your trip. Please see the bottom of this column for ordering options.
We also have custom Perfect Fly selections in 3 different price ranges for this stream that come with or without fly boxes. They make excellent gifts. Click Here To Order or Call us at 800 594 4726 or email us at sales@perfectflystore.com.
Type of Stream
Freestone
Species
Brown Trout
Brook Trout
(Wild and Stocked Trout)
Size
Medium
Location
Southeast Minnesota
Nearest Towns
Lanesboro
Saint Charles
Season
April 18 through Sept. 14
Special Regulations
A one mile section opens Jan. 1,
catch and release, barbless hooks
Access:
Fair
Non-Resident License
State of Minnesota
Weather
National Weather Service Link
Seasons:
There is a general season and catch and release seasons in certain areas.
Spring:
Springtime is usually very good provided the water levels are not extremely high. Hatches start in late Spring.
Summer:
In many parts of the river, especially near the springs, the fishing can be excellent all summer long.
Fall:
The Fall months are considered by many to be the best months of the year to fish Trout Run Creek
Winter:
The catch and release section can be fished during the winter months and the fishing can be quite good. Anglers fish the river with deep snow along its banks. It doesn’t freeze over in most areas.
Recommended Tackle & Gear
Fly Line:
4, 5 or 6 weight
Leaders:
Dry fly: 9 to 12 ft., 5 or 6X Nymphing:
71/2 ft., 3 or 4X, Streamers 0-2X
Tippets:
Dry fly: 5 or 6X, Nymphing: 3 or 4X,
Streamer 0-2X
Best Fly Rods:
Perfect Fly Supreme Four, Superb Five
or Ultimate Six
Fly Reels:
For 4/5/6 fly line
Fly Floatants and Misc Items:
Floatants, KISS Strike Indicators
Tools & Accessories:
Nippers, forceps, retractors, etc.
Fly and Gear ordering and delivery:
Email us at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations. We can get flies and gear to you within two to three business days from the time you place your order via Priority Mail. If you provide a budget for flies, we will select them to match the budget and get them to you on time for your trip. Your can also call us at 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide what flies and gear to use. All orders are shipped free in the U.S. If under a $100 order requiring Priority mail is a charge of only $8.10. Orders over a $100 are shipped free via Priority Mail.
Copyright 2016 James Marsh
Fly Fishing Trout Run Creek Minnesota
Trout Run Creek is a lovely little spring fed creek that begins in the prairie region of Minnesota. It flows for about twelve miles into the North Branch of the Root River. Trout Run has plenty of cover, deep pools and undercut banks for its population of brown trout. It is reputed to have a brown trout population ranging from 2,000 to 4,000 trout per mile. It flows through hardwood trees, open meadows and pastures.
Trout Run Creek is a part of one of the many watersheds in what is referred to as the Blufflands Watersheds. It is a part of an region called the Driftless Area which takes in four states and over 600 spring creeks.
The best fishing is between the little town of Saratoga downstream to Bucksnort Dam and for about a mile and a half below it. There have been a lot of stream improvements that have taken place during the last few years in this section of the creek. This has made a big difference is the fishery.
Trout Run Creek Fly Fishing Guide:
The methods and techniques you should employ for fly fishing Trout Run Creek vary with the different seasons and the time of day. Trout Run Creek differs from many other eastern and western spring creeks in that its flows are not always smooth and flat.
Some areas of the creek have shallow riffles and even a few runs. Wherever you can find the faster moving water with a broken surface, you will find it much easier to catch trout. That is simply because the trout do not get as good of a look at your fly as they do in the smooth flowing water.
Like on any other spring creek, the ideal situation is to find a feeding trout, especially one that is taking flies from the surface of the water. Fishing for an individual trout that is feeding on emerging insects is easier than those you cannot see.
Blind casting works well at times, especially if you are fishing heavy cover for the brown trout or the runs and riffles.
The water can be very deceptive. It is clearer than the bottom makes it look in certain areas. The trout can see your fly and you, for that matter, better than you may think they can. When you are fishing the faster sections of water, it is usually best to proceed in any upstream direction. I normally do even when searching for feeding trout in the smoother sections of water. However, often when you find a trout eating on top, you have to use a downstream presentation to hook it. This allows the fish to see the fly first before the leader, provided you do it correctly.
Long, light leaders are normal here, even though the water may be moving at a good rate of speed. The lighter it is, the more action you will get. Keep in mind that it’s also a requirement for fishing the large Trico hatches that occur in the summer as well as midge imitations you can catch trout on all year long.
Another tip or point to remember is that heavy rains can dingy the water in some areas of the stream. This will give you a little cover so the trout cannot see you as easily. They also don’t get a great look at your fly. This is a great time to try a streamer for the browns. They will work on the rainbows too, but are very good flies to use during the brown trout pre-spawn time as well as fishing heavy cover such as fallen tree tops, logs, undercut banks, etc.
Trout Run Creek Hatches and Trout Flies:
Our information on aquatic insects is based on our stream samples of larvae and nymphs, not guess work. We base fly suggestions on imitating the most plentiful and most available insects and other foods at the particular time you are fishing. Unlike the generic fly shop trout flies, we have specific imitations of all the insects in Trout Run Creek and in all stages of life that are applicable to fishing. If you want to fish better, more realistic trout flies, have a much higher degree of success, give us a call. We not only will help you with selections, you will learn why, after trying Perfect Flies, 92% of the thousands of our customers will use nothing else. 1-800-594-4726.
Trout Run Creek provides a good number of aquatic insect hatches that can provide some excellent dry fly fishing at times.
Blue-winged Olives, including baetis species, are the most common mayflies. They hatch from about the first of March all the way through the month of September. Some of them are bi-brooded and hatch twice a year. Generally, the hatches are heavier in April and May and then again in late August and September.
Blue quills hatch in the moderate to fast water areas of the streams from about the middle of April through the month of May. Hendrickson mayflies hatch from about the first week of April until the end of May.
Sulphurs hatch from about the last week of May through the first two weeks of July. March Browns hatch in the fast water sections of Trout Run Creek from about the middle of May through the middle of June. Light Cahill are also present in the faster sections of water from about the middle of June into the first week or two of July.
Slate Drakes hatch from about the middle of July on into September. There are also hatches of Tricos. They occur from about the middle of June until the last part of September.
Little Black Caddisflies, Brachycentrus species, start hatching as early as the middle of April. This hatch last until the middle of May. Cinnamon Caddisflies exist in Trout Run Creek in plentiful quantities. They start hatching about the middle of May and can last until the end of September. Little Green Caddis are present in most of the fast water areas of the stream. The Rock Worm, or imitations of their larva stage of life will catch trout year-round. There are also species of Spotted Sedges present. They hatch from about the first of June through August.
Imitations of adult craneflies and thier larva can be effective from June through September. Terrestrial insects are present in large quantities on many areas of the river. Imitations of grasshoppers, ants and beetles will catch trout from about the first of June through the month of September. These are best fished along the high grass banks and beneath the many overhanging willow trees.
Streamers are very important flies, especially for the larger brown trout. Imitations of sculpin, baitfish, minnows, and leeches. They work especially good during the pre-spawn period of the brown trout when they become aggressive.
Scuds and sowbugs are also present in good quantities in this stream. Imitations of them will work anytime during the season.
We have “Perfect Flies” that imitate every aquatic and terrestrial insect that exist on Trout Run Creek. If you haven’t already done so, we invite you to give them an opportunity to work for you. The are very realistic flies that are also very durable and effective.
Trout Run Creek Fly Fishing Report:
03/22/20 Catch and release section open.
The stream is a little high and slightly stained.
There are midges hatching. We have yet to
receive any reports.
05/22/20 Stream levels are high but you can
fish from the banks in many places. There
are lots of insects hatching. Now is the time to
get your flies and gear ready.
sales@perfectflystore.com
06/11/20 Trout are being caught by our
customers in good numbers. There are some
very good hatches taking place.
06/24/20 The stream is still a little high but
can be fished from the bank in many
places. There are good hatches going on.
07/07/20 The stream is still high but can be
and is being successfully fished from the
bank in many places. There are some very
good hatches taking place.
07/20/20 Our customers are sending in good
reports. There are multiple hatches taking
place.
08/02/20 Stream levels are a little above
normal but in good shape. We continue to
get good reports from customers.
08/22/20 Stream levels are a little high but
we are still getting some very good reports
from customers. Good hatches are taking
place.
09/13/20 Stream levels are still high but
should fall out soon. There are good
reports coming in from customers when the
levels are okay. It can be fished from the
bank many places.
10/23/20 Cooler weather and
Blue-winged olive, mahogany dun and
other hatches has the trout turned on.
The State Park is open year-round for
catch and release. .
12/15/20 Get ready for the January
opening of the catch and release section.
Send us an email for a recommend list.
sales@perfectflystore.com
01/02/21 The stream is in good shape and
trout are being caught and released by
our customers.
01/27/21 The warmer spring water is
staying well above freezing and trout are
being caught. Good hatches of BWOs and
Midges.
02/25/21 The spring water is warm enough
to turn out some nice trout for our
customers. Midges, little BWOs, scuds and
sculpin streamers are working.
03/17/21 The creek is turning out
some good catches for the few anglers
fishing. Good hatches are taking place.
04/30/21 The stream is in good shape and warming up fast. There are some good hatches starting to take place. Shoot us an email or give us a call 800 594 4726 for fly and gear recommendations.
05/09/21 The stream is turning out some nice numbers of trout for the few anglers fishing. The warm spring water is producing some good spring hatches.
05/17/21 Excellent hatches are taking place. We are getting some good reports from customers. This should continue this coming week. There are Blue Quills, Little Black Caddis, Green sedge caddis, Cinnamon Caddis, Hendricksons, Light Cahills, Sulphurs just starting, and Blue-winged olives hatching.
05/25/21 The creek is still in okay shape. The stream levels are high but trout are still being caught in good numbers. There are some good hatches taking place.
06/01/21 The streams is still a little high but we continue to get some good reports from customers. It should fall out soon. You can wade some areas and fish from the banks in others.
06/10/21 The stream is turning out some good catches for our customers. Email us at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations.
06/22/21 The stream levels are fine and there are a lot of hatches taking place. We are getting some very good reports from customers. This should continue this coming week.
07/04/21 Conditions are very good. We are getting good reports from customers. There are lots of insects hatching and terrestrials are working good. Call or write us for fly and gear recommendations.
07/14/21 The stream is turning out good numbers of trout for our customers. There are good hatches and our terrestrial patterns are working good.
07/20/21 Conditions are very good. Excellent reports are coming in from our customers.
07/28/21 We continue to get very good reports. There are good hatches and our terrestrial fly patterns are working good. Use Perfect flies and watch your success increase.
08/04/21 Conditions are very good. We continue to get good reports from customers. Don’t ignore the common scud. They are working great along with others.
08/14/21 Few anglers are fishing yet conditions are excellent. We continue to get good reports from those that are fishing it. Good hatches continue.
08/21/21 The stream is currently in good shape with clear water and good levels. There are some very good hatches taking place. We received good reports from customers this past week.
08/28/21 There is heavy rain but ending by tomorrow. It has the stream high and stained but should be okay very soon.
09/09/21 The stream is still a little above normal level but that actually helps. A little stain helps the “catching”. Good hatches continue to take place.
09/18/21 The stream is turning out some very good catches. Our terrestrial patterns and hatch patterns are catching good numbers of trout. Stream levels are fine.
09/28/21 The creek is in good shape. We are getting good reports from customers. Good hatches continue to take place.
10/11/21 Conditions remain good. We continue to get a few good reports. The much cooler weather is helping.
10/15/21 The season is closed. The state park is open year-round for catch and release.
10/31/21 Stream levels are a little high but okay. Fish only in the state park and it is catch and release only.
11/08/21 We received one good report this past week. Scuds and our sculpin streamers are working. Blood midges, BWOs and Mahogany duns are hatching.
11/18/21 We didn’t receive any reports this past week but conditions are okay and the spring water warm near the springs.
11/27/21 No reports came in this past week, we assume due to the holidays. Let us hear from you.
12/04/22 We received one good report this past week. The water is about 38 degrees and midges and BWOs are hatching.
01/12/22 We received one good report this past week from a customer. Fish as near the spring outlets as possible. The water is in the high thirties there.
01/20/22 No reports came in this past week. Conditions remain okay.
01/28/22 We received one good report from a customer fishing this past week. Good midge and winter stonefly hatches.
02/05/22 We didn’t receive any reports from anyone fishing this past week. Conditions remain okay.
02/13/22 We received one good report from a customer fishing this past week. Conditions are okay.
02/21/22 Conditions remain okay. We didn’t receive any reports from anyone fishing this past week.
03/01/22 We still didn’t receive any reports from anyone fishing this past week. The water is warm enough near springs to catch them. Let us hear from you.
03/09/22 Still no reports came in but again, you can catch trout in decent numbers near the springs. Good winter stonefly and midge hatches are taking place.
03/17/22 We received one good report from a customer. Blue winged olives and cream and blood midges are hatching good.
03/26/22 The stream is at a normal level. Good hatches continue to take place. Fish the upper section nearer the springs.
04/03/22 The stream is low but still okay. The spring water is warm enough and you can catch and release trout. There are good midge hatches.
04/11/22 Good Blue-winged olive and Cream and red or blood midge hatches are taking place. We received one good report from a customer this past week.
04/19/22 The regular season is now open on trout and we are getting some very good reports. Good hatches are taking place.
04/27/22 More good reports come in this past week. The spring water is warm enough and there are good hatches taking place.
05/05/22 Conditions remain okay and good reports continue to come in. Good hatches are taking place and good numbers of trout are being caught.
05/13/22 Stream levels are a little above normal levels but okay. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week. Good hatches are taking place.
05/21/22 The stream is still high and the water stained. We didn’t receive any reports this past week. Check back as it should get very good soon.
05/28/22 The stream level is down a lot from last week but still a little above normal. It is still turning out some good catches for our customers. Good hatches continue to take place.
06/04/22 Sulphurs are starting to hatch among several other insects. We received one good report from a customer this past week. Conditions are okay.
06/11/22 We received three good reports this past week from customers. Conditions are good. The water is up a little and lightly stained but that only helps. Very good hatches are taking place.
06/18/22 The stream is well above normal level. The stain helps it to some extent. You can still catch trout from the banks but we recommend giving it a day or two to drop.
06/25/22 The stream is still a little above normal level but okay. We received two good reports from customers fishing it this past week. Very good hatches are taking place.
07/02/22 The stream is near a normal level and clear. We are getting some very good reports from customers. Good hatches are taking place.
07/09/22 The stream has been turning out good numbers of trout prior to the recent high water. Give it a little time to drop and clear.
07/16/22 The stream is still high and stained but that isn’t a terrible thing and in fact can help the “catching”. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.
07/23/22 The stream is still a little high but okay. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.
07/30/22 The stream is still high and stained but falling back down fast and should be in good shape very soon.
08/06/22 Stream levels are high and the water stained. Give it a couple of days to drop and clear some. Stain doesn’t hurt that much and in fact can make it easier to catch trout.
08/13/22 The stream is still high. We recommend giving is a little more time to drop and clear.
08/20/22 Conditions have improved a lot. Trout could be caught but wading may be rough to not safe in many places.
08/27/22 Stream levels are still high and the water stained. You can fish this one from the bank in most places. Good late summer hatches continue to take place.
09/04/22 Stream levels are still high, too high to fish other than from the banks. Give it a little more time to drop and clear.
09/11/22 It is still a little high but can be fished from the bank in many places. There are good hatches taking place.
09/14/22 The season is closed until Jan. 1 catch and release season.
01/01/23 A one mile section is open for catch and release.
02/05/23 Trout are being caught in the mile long C and R section. Cream and Red or blood midges, aquatic worms, sculpin streamers and other flies are working.
02/16/23 Good midge hatches exist. Scuds are also working good. We didn’t receive any reports this past week. Let us hear from you.
02/28/23 The stream is a little high and stained but the stain doesn’t hurt that much. Good midge hatches and BWO hatches are taking place.
04/08/23 The stream is well above normal level but falling. Good hatches are taking place. The regular fishing season opens April 18. Currently the catch and release section is open.
05/03/23 The stream is still a little above normal level but isn’t so high you can’t fish it successfully. We received two good reports recently. Good hatches are taking place.
05/12/23 The stream is flowing above a normal level but okay. The light stain actually helps. We received two more good reports from customers fishing this past week.
05/22/23 The stream is still high and stained but as reported before that isn’t all bad. Good hatches are taking place.
05/30/23 The stream is down to a near normal level. There are good hatches taking place. You should be able to catch a lot of trout.
06/10/23 The stream is in good shape with good hatches taking place. We received a good report from a customer fishing yesterday.
06/18/23 Stream levels are in good shape. Good hatches are taking place and e are getting good reports from customers fishing it.
06/29/21 Conditions remain good. Let us hear from you.
07/04/23 Stream levels are fine and the water mostly clear. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week. Good hatches are taking place.
07/11/23 Conditions remain very good. We received three good reports from customers fishing this past week.
07/18/23 More good reports come in this past week. Good hatches continue to take place. Dry fly fishing is very good.
07/29/23 The stream is still in good condition with lots of hatching insects. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.
08/05/23 The stream is still flowing at a normal level and clear. There are good hatches taking place and we continue to get good reports from customers.
08/15/23 The stream is still in good shape flowing near a normal level. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.
08/21/23 Good conditions continue to exist. The stream level is near normal and good hatches continue to come off.
08/28/23 The stream still remain in good condition in all respects. Good hatches continue to take place and we continue to get good reports.
09/05/23 The stream is still flowing near a normal level with clear water. There are very good hatches taking place.
09/12/23 There are still some good late season hatches taking place.
09/14/23 The season is closed.
01/21/24 Catch and release season is open. The stream is in good condition with good light green and red or blood midge hatches taking place.
02/01/24 The stream is flowing a little above normal but mostly clear. Good hatches are still taking place. We received one good report from a customer fishing it this past week.
02/16/24 The stream is flowing a little above normal and mostly clear. We have been getting some good reports when the levels are okay. Good midge and Winter stonefly hatches are taking place.
02/24/24 The stream is still a little above normal but okay. Good hatches of Midges, light greens, and Winter stonflies are taking place.
03/02/24 The stream is flowing near a normal level and mostly clear. Good hatches continue to take place.
03/15/24 The steams is a little below normal level in good shape. We received a good report from a customer fishing yesterday. Good hatches are taking place.
03/23/24 The stream is still in good shape for this time of the year thanks to them warm spring water. Good hatches are taking place.
03/30/24 Conditions are good. The stream level is okay and the spring water warm. Good Blue-winged olive hatches are taking place along with light green midges.
04/06/24 The stream is flowing low and clear. We didn’t receive any catch and release reports but it should be good.
04/13/24 The stream is flowing near a normal level. Good Blue Quill, Little Black Caddis, and Blue-winged olive hatches are taking place.
04/21/24 The stream is flowing above a normal level and stained some but okay fished from the banks. Good hatches continue to take place.
Email us at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations.