Zorbaz on Gull Lake

[Beartooth83]

I just tried to fill the fly fishing void in my life by trying Stoney Brooke on upper gull lake north of Brainerd. Supposedly it's a good brookie/brown stream, but I didn't even see a trout. Very tough to cast with all the trees. Pretty little stream though. Anyone know what the fish in here eat? I tried all my bugs, nothing worked. I'm going to finish my pizza and beer and go home to dream of MO bows instead.

 

[NoWiser]

My experiences on Stoney Brooke have been about the same as yours. It's a nice stream but I couldn't find any trout.

I've had better luck fishing some of the trout lakes a little farther north towards Walker. You could also try the Straight River by Park Rapids. I've done well there.

 

[Z Barebow]

I am glad someone did well on the Straight. I was there only once and didn't see a one. A few creek chubs and that was it.

 

[Beartooth83]

The dog had fun...

 

[MinnesotaHunter]

At least you had some decent pizza...

 

[JohnCushman]

Your dog looks pissed

 

[Flatrock]

Man I haven't had Zorbas in years. That gives me one helluva craving right now!

 

[CampRipleyLF]

I've fished that plenty of times with a lot of luck. It's a heavily influenced ground water stream that supports a health population of Brook Trout and some Brown Trout (DNR removed a few not to many years ago. A survey was conducted a year ago, including both fish and macroinvetebrate communities.

Fish Community:
Brook Trout - 264 ranging from 64 to 378 mm
Mottled Sculpin - 67 ranging from 30 to 95 mm
Brown Trout - 55 ranging from 85 to 404 mm
Whit Sucker - 13 ranging from 202 to 327 mm
Hornyhead Chub - 10 ranging from 40 to 72 mm
Bluegill - 7 ranging from 81 to 128 mm
Yellow Perch - 6 ranging from 84 to 99 mm
Johnny Darter - 3 ranging from 25 to 56 mm
Blacknose Dace - 2 ranging from 81 to 106 mm
Northern Pike - 2 ranging from 139 to 172 mm
Pumpkinseed - 1 at a length of 85 mm

Macorinvertebrate Community Dominated By:
Ceratopsyche slossonae, Glossosoma intermedium, Lepidostoma, Orthocladius, Protoptila, Simulium, Uenoidae