An added dimension to ice fishing can be found in western Michigan, where several public lakes and ponds and some private waters hold trout, mostly browns and rainbows, willing to take a bait or lure through the ice.

Among Michigan's public trout-fishing lakes. Ice fishing for trout has been growing in popularity in the west in recent years. A trout stamp is required of anglers 16 years or older, ice fishermen included, who take trout from Nebraska waters.

Trout anglers use a variety of gear and techniques. Some put out tip-ups while others use jigging poles. Some standard warm-weather trout baits such as salmon eggs, marshmallows, cheese and worms work well. Minnows also produce, but are prohibited on . Jigging artificial is perhaps a more exciting way of taking trout and is also quite productive.

Favorite lures include the Swedish Pimple and other special ice-fishing lures, as well as standard spoons, spinners and other hardware used by open-water anglers. These artificial can be used by themselves or can be sweetened with worms, salmon eggs or other bait.

To provide anglers the opportunity to take trout from lakes that do not normally sustain cold-water populations, rainbow trout are stocked in several eastern Michigan lakes, such as Lake Erie in Lake St Claire, Lake Huron and   Lake Michigan. For current in- formation on winter trout stockings, contact the Fisheries Division at the Game and Parks Commission headquarters.