Lake Trout Season.

Post by **trexellunge** » Sat May 08, 2004 11:35 am

I don't normally fish for lake trout, but enjoy catching them. I go up to Maine once in awhile, as it's one of the few states that can rival Ontario in natural beauty and sheer numbers of lakes. Trout and salmon (Atlantic and landlocks) are the primary targets of most anglers in Maine, but they concentrate most of their efforts during the weeks just after ice-out. By June, many Maine anglers switch to bass because the fishing for species such as Lake Trout has slowed so dramatically. It's just not as fun for most to pursue the trout with downriggers or lead line. The lake trout spawn in the fall, so early season fishing for them is not unethical to many. The lake trout populations are hurting in Ontario because the fish is a favorite to keep and eat, while they grow and reproduce quite slowly at a rate that cannot keep up with fishing\consumption. Ice fishing definately hurts their populations, and there are some special restrictions on ice fishing on some lakes in Southern Ontario. It would be nice if more people regarded the lake trout as a sport species, and released them more often to fight another day. It's too bad we couldn't enjoy an open lake trout season in May on more Southern Ontario lakes, when the bite is furious and you can catch them on a shallow flatline, without hurting the populations. I wonder if an early catch a release season would work? Then again, what do I know? I'm not even a trout fisherman....just wishful thinking.

Post by **Markus** » Sat May 08, 2004 12:08 pm

I wasn't aware that the lake trout populations were hurting in Ontario. We had a great time fishing early spring lake trout on lake ontario this year.

I think the americans are ahead of the game. They inforce a size limit that insures the larger fish and breeders are returned to the water.

Post by **Xenos** » Sat May 08, 2004 1:27 pm

I personally think the season and stocking is more set up for tourism than any other. I have never had a problem finding or catching trout here. Especially in lake Ontario. In July and August it quite easy to catch 10 in a morning and with a limit of 2 i would say it is a forced sport fish.

Post by **Wall-I-Guy** » Sat May 08, 2004 2:00 pm

I agree they certainly aren't hard to catch in Lake Ontario at least. A lot of the stocked fish in smaller lakes I believe are Splake as well. Look much the same a Lakers.

Splake is the result of the fertilization of Brook Trout eggs with Lake Trout sperm. The species is not self-perpetuating and stocks must be produced in hatcheries.

My point being, if they can raise them in a hatchery, isn't that a good thing

Makes for good sport fishing anyway

Post by **Markus** » Sat May 08, 2004 2:45 pm

Stocking Splake is a complete waste of time and dollars. If there's going to be a "put-n-take" fishery, then at least put species that have a chance at establishing themselves.

Post by **Manny** » Sat May 08, 2004 3:41 pm

Markus wrote:Stocking Splake is a complete waste of time and dollars. If there's going to be a "put-n-take" fishery, then at least put species that have a chance at establishing themselves.

Don't quite agree with you there Markus. Although you are right they don't establish themselves, they grow big fast, are amazing fighters and are the best table fare after jumbo perch.

Here, I am talking about tiny portage lakes that were full of brookies before the perch moved in. Now the splakes are there to control the perch and catching 10 splake a day reaching 5 pounds is alot more enjoyable then catching 10" brookies. They are also more aggressive. I cleaned a 3 1/2 pound splake on wednesday that had a 7" perch in his stomach. Lakes like this are apperently widespread in Qc but I only know of a few.

You might be right about stocking splake in bigger lakes though, where lakers, steel and salmon are already present.

Post by **trexellunge** » Sat May 08, 2004 9:55 pm

Sorry guys, I should have made clear I wasn't talking about Lake Ontario, which has an abundance of trout in its massive waters. Instead I meant the smaller, inland trout lakes. Populations are definately hurting in most of these waters, many of which once had a self sustaining lake trout population, which have since semi-collapsed due to overharvesting. Most now need supplemental stocking of laketrout. Examples would be Desert Lake, Canoe Lake, Brule Lake, Devil Lake, Redhorse Lake, Paudash Lake, Eels Lake, Anstruther Lake, and Diamond Lake...along with countless others. While lake trout fishing might be productive from time to time on these waters, the overall populations are supposedly stressed due to overharvesting (according to what I read anyway).

Post by **Moosebunk** » Mon May 10, 2004 2:28 pm

trex

I seemingly agree with the lakes you mentioned as hurting. Although I have not fished them (other than a few in Frontenac Park), it's not common to spot even good numbers of lakers huggin' bottom with the fish finder. But, it's my impression that south of Highway 7 the lakes are closed to ice fishing. If that's true, hopefully numbers will rebound.

Post by **eye-tracker** » Mon May 10, 2004 2:57 pm

Just a side note on Lake trout...
Sharbot Lake still has a population of native lake trout, this lake is not stocked (I have never caught a stocked laker -- no fin clipping) therefore if you catch a few lakers please only keep one for dinner. Not to many of these natural lakes left around Ottawa.

Post by **trexellunge** » Mon May 10, 2004 7:29 pm

What are some of the more consistent inland "laker lakes?" I know Charleston, Weslemkoon, Limerick, and Big Rideau can have some pretty good action. I might spend a little more time laker fishing this year.