Lake Trout are an often misunderstood fish. One misconception is they are only catchable in the spring and fall. In reality, Lakers can be taken all season, including the hottest "dog days" of summer.
Lake Trout are deep water fish. They thrive in colder water temperatures, thus moving deeper and deeper as spring turns into summer. Even when numbers are readily found in the shallows, larger fish still relate to safer, deeper waters.
Seasonal Locations of Lake Trout
- Location A is shoreline structure in the 1'-20' depth range. Typically, this is where most spring/fall Lake Trout angling occurs. Large numbers of Trout have moved into the shallows to feed on baitfish.
- Location B is offshore deeper water (20'-60'). A pocket such as this may hold larger fish, holding close to the shallows.
- Location C is a rocky reef, quickly rising out of the deep. Its proximity to both offshore deeper water and the main lake basin, makes it a very high-percentage target. Chances are fish gathered here will be aggressive and actively feeding.
- Location D is the bottom edge of the rocky reef, sitting on a drop-off to much deeper water. This is a safe haven for big fish, but often ignored by by spring/fall Lake Trout anglers. If large active Lakers are not present in shallower areas, a structural element like D may be the answer.
- Locations E & F are very deep and may hold a few very neutral fish at these times of the year.
- During the mid-summer months, Lake Trout relate to cold water. Generally, summer holding areas will be close to their spring/fall haunts. At this time of year, there will be periods when Lakers are feeding actively and others when they have seemingly shut down completely. The following applies to active summertime Lake Trout.
- Location A has been virtually abandoned by Lake Trout, as waters here are too shallow and warm.
- Location B will hold Trout, most likely not in any great numbers, or of trophy size.
- Locations C, D, E & F are high-percentage habitat for actively feeding summertime Lake Trout. Feeding patterns and times will vary with daylight, weather and wind conditions, but when Trout "turn on", the action can be fast and furious. Lakers will invade the deeper edges of reefs, as they feed voraciously on unsuspecting baitfish.
- Often, during long, hot days, when stable weather and low wind conditions prevail, Trout fishing seems impossible. The lake is like glass, and regular "hot spots" like reefs and drop-offs are barren. Conditions like this can confuse and frustrate anglers. Insult is added to injury when the silence of the day is often broken by large splashes as giant Lakers streak out of the deep to ambush schools of suspended ciscoes. The key here is to understand what the Lake Trout are doing and where they have gone.
- Locations A, B, C, & D are void of any Trout.
- Locations E & F, the deeper bottom edge of the reef, and the sandy lake basin flat have become "home" to the Lakers. Some would classify these fish as being "neutral", they really are not. Anglers using deep water presentations will take fish. There are many techniques for fishing Lake Trout under these conditions, ranging from downriggers, to steel line, to the use of heavy sinkers. We recommend vertical jigging with 1-2 ounce jigs, tipped with large plastic grubs. An option is to add a piece of sucker belly, or similar "oily" bait as an attractant. A variety of jigging techniques many be employed, such as rip-jigging (allowing the jig to fall to the bottom of the lake, then using a very fast retrieve, coupled with much rod action) and finesse-jigging (very slow presentation, keeping jig near bottom).
Tackle
Lures:
 Shallow water Lake Trout will pursue a wide range of lures imitating large baitfish, such as spoons, crankbaits, and stickbaits. When using such baits, flash and action are the main keys to triggering strikes, although at times, color does play an important role.
Spoons of all shapes can be effective, but a good Lake Trout selection should include heavier spoons for deeper angling.
In mid-summer situations, heavy jigs (1-2 ounce), tipped with 4" to 6" plastic grubs will get your presentation into the desired deep water strike zone.
Lake Trout have extremely hard, bony mouths, so be certain hooks are kept as sharp as possible. Having the ability to penetrate the tough cartilage is paramount, especially when Lakers are deep.
Rods:
When it comes to Lake Trout rods, backbone is paramount. Rods should have the ability to withstand viscous strikes, produce consistent hooksets, and cope with a multitude of long, deep water runs.
Longer rods, (7' to 8-1/2') are usually preferred by experienced Trout anglers. They must handle lines from 12 to 25 pounds and be rated for heavier lure weights. Longer handles, possibly with fighting butts, are also beneficial for extra leverage and power during the fight. Strong tips, flexible enough to load when casting, but tough enough to handle Lakers are important.
Reels:
 A good reel is to Lake Trout fishing as wings are to flying. Most vital is a superior drag system, capable of withstanding the rig ours of endless runs and long fights. Many a Laker angler has experienced the heartbreak of losing the fish of a lifetime when an inadequate drag system overheated and seized up.
A large line capacity is important and high gear ratios are very beneficial when rip-jigging or spoon fishing.
The best choice here is a quality baitcasting reel. To handle the demands of Lake Trout fishing, spinning reels just don't have the toughness, the cranking capability or the sophisticated drag systems baitcasters offer. |
