Canadian Reports/Discussion
Tell me how to catch Lake Trout in Canada
3/9/12 @ 12:42 PM
Displaying 1 to 13 of 13 posts
Everything will depend on the water temps,last fall the water stayed to warm for the lakers to come up shallow,so we had to troll or jig them in roughly55 ',and were very catcheble,as of today water temps are 72 f,will have to wait and see as we close in on the end of sept,
Hello Wini....you have gotten some solid basic info. Once you know what lake you are fishing and the technique you think you will you we can give you some specific information.
For example if you are trolling with riggers there is a lot to know such as speed variations, zig zag patterns and finding feeding fish versus dormant ones. I have 30 years of fishing lakers at Wabaskang in Perrault falls. I can tell you you need patience. Some days you will hook several and other days in the same conditions no one is interested.
As for spoons...everyone has their favorites. When trolling spoons are best. My favorite is a sutton spoon. You used to have no problem finding them at a local store in the 80's, but now you have to go to the source which is mail order out of Sutton New York. I order them from fish307.com. Size 71 or 72 works best. They come in different combinations. I prefer silver and copper-smooth. I see they are calling them Plasma spoons now. Not sure if they are the same as the old suttons. Let me know if you want more info. I have lots more to share.
I would say by August jigging will be your best method. Electronics are very important to see what level they are feeding at. It eliminates alot of "negative" water. We used to use Kalin mogambo tails in white and silver. Larger cleos and other heavy spoons work well too.
I was lucky enough to fish northern manitoba with my dad three times...
The lake trout fishing was incredible! You would drop your jig to the bottom in 60 feet and when they were feeding it would never get to the bottom. A trout would smash it 30-50 feet down. What a great fight on light to medium tackle. We normally used heavier bass or light pike rods and reels. We only kept a few of the 5-6 pounders to eat! Hope you get the chance to fish them...its a fishing experience you won't forget!
Wini, August will find lake trout in their traditional summer pattern, which means anywhere from 45 - 80 feet of water. One thing about trout at that time of year if you can find them you can usually catch them a number of different ways. A decent sonar is a big plus and this time of year you can waste a lot of time if you don't have decent electronics. Trout and Whitefish are easily spotted on your sonar.
Here's some options, I've done well with all of these:
Downriggers, get some salmon spoons in yellow, green, white and run them about 30feet behind the cannon ball. Remember you will get some blow back on the downriggers so if you have them set at 50feet there probably only down about 45ft + or -. The trout like it when the spoon comes right of a bottom feature or edge that is holding fish. The closer you can run your rig to the bottom without losing everything the better.
3-way rigs, poor mans down rigger. Your can get a three way swivel and use anywhere from 1 ounce to 8 ounce sinker and drag a crank bait like a Husky Jerf, Tail dancer, or spoon. Remember don't cut your trailing line longer than your rod or you will have hell to pay trying to land the fish and bring it to the net. Your can also do this with a in-line banana sinker but I prefer the 3 way. You can also drag a dead herring, this can be deadly. most bait shops will sell you a bag of frozen lake herring up there.
Vertical Jigging, This is one of my favorite techniques and can really be a thrill, its also easy once your on the trout. I would say in August you will likely need at least a 1 to 1 1/2 ounce jig. I usually find the salt water jigs work best for this. You need the heavy weight and it to be some what calm topside to pull this off. Make sure you have "white" fluke or curly tail grubs, some yellow or glow works also. Usually I use larger musky grub bodies and cut them down. The next type of jigging that is very fun is a "blade" bait, like a large sonar / zip lure. I usually start at 3/4 ounce sometime 1 ounce can be better. Very simple technique let it all the way to the bottom reel up about 10 cranks as fast as you possible can, then slow to normal reeling speed. They tend to hit it right at the transition
Last is dead stick or yes Slip bobber. Trout are slashers and scavengers. A nice dead greasy lake herring below a salmon slip bobber set at 50 feet or a slip sinker rig cast into deep water and slowly moved around can be deadly.
Notes. If your jig fishing and you hook one the hook hole will get stretched out. You can not let the pressure of or you will loose the fish. Also Trout have no Air bladder they can follow a lure or bait from 50ft to the service no problem and scare the crap out of you. Last it its a big trout don't bring it to the surface until you are ready to net it. They will begin to roll in your line and you will have a mess if you don't get them right away.
Any questions let me know. Generally anything over 30ins I put back, they are great on the grill, and smallers ones can be cooked just about any way you want. For some they are an acquired taste.
Any questions let me know. I love trout fishing.
Good luck
GF
Displaying 1 to 13 of 13 posts
