Lake Trout Question

[HogHunter]

Hey everyone, there is one species that has been eluding me since I have moved to Ontario and that is the Lake Trout. I beleive it is the only major sport fish that I have not yet encountered.

My question is, do they come in shallow in the fall when the temps drop like they have now? Or do they move higher up the water column as they do in the spring?

I am willing to do whatever it takes at this point. I will rent a boat if needed, travel, buy a specific hook that may work best this time of year. I have targeted them ice fishing over the past couple of seasons on bodies of water that are known to produce with no luck. I want to get the monkey off my back before icefishing season so I can concentrate on walleye so if anyone has any info to offer I would really appreciate it. Thanks in advance.

[JimmyBuffett]

Well Charlestons closed right now but on this lake it is almost impossible to be eluded As for the winter, I was also Lakerless until this past season when the Great White Tube Jig worked wonders Fish the tube real slow with little twitches right on bottom or slightly off... also lots of folks like to fish real deep 65-100fow, I had lots of luck on shoals and points in 25-40FOW, as for right now not too sure, but I do think you'd be fishing post-spawn Lakers. Good Luck Bud

Cheers,

Rich

[Pickerel Paul]

I've Ice Fished for them, and found that it helped to on the spot 30 mins before daybreak. A lot of times the bite only lasted about 30 minutes, after that nothing. Maybe we should have moved, but sometimes that doesn't work either. They also bit very lightly.

[orrsey]

Hey hoghunter,
I have actually seen them up in the shallows this time of year. I have never fished for them because in my area the season has been closed for a while now. I dont' know a whole lot about lake trout but I do know that I have seen them so to some extent they must use shallow water. On that note a couple strange incedents did happen to people I know this past summer. On one occasion a lady (an old teacher of mine) fishing for small mouth caught an 18 lbs laker in 20 feet of water in july...And on another occasion a guy I know from the area while fishing on potspoon for bass in 18FOW caught a 15lbs laker on a big shiner and bobber.
Orrsey

[Big Jim]

Get yourself a couple of the In'Fisherman videos on lake trout, or find everything Gord Pyzer has done on lakers. We have had several of his articles in Just Fishing and they are to say the least..cutting edge and factual.

Heard Al Lindner make a real put your mind in gear comment on ice and lakers once...."I seldom fish deeper than 30 feet in the winter" it isn't the only place to catch them but I know from people he fishes with that he consistently catches more in the winter...above as opposed to below that mark.

BIG JIM~~~~~~eyeing the auger in the garage this morning

[Pickerel Paul]

Big Jim -

Did ya remember the 'ol fuel stabilizer?

[joco]

hi hoghunter...

at this time off year.is like in hurly spring......they can be found in shallow water.....like spring,its all about water temperature...there comfort zone.


lasy year in november i was fishing for musky in some lake a bit north off here and we saw a lot off lakers cruising around,,,on some rocks structure...it was cool to see..... .,but trout was close,,,so we did not even try to get them,,,.

at the cottage we catch a lot off them by accident,,,,,that is bad,but hey ,,,,,,,we fish for white fish and we catch lakers....somtime we fish in like 10 fett off water for perch on tiny jig and still catch lakers....


the lure we use to catch white fish............mr champ,,,,,little white jigs,,,,,,,micro silver spoon,,,,,and i gues there good for lakers
to...


joco

[almontefisher]

I fish Lakers all season and these guys are right...Just last week at my cottage I saw a pod of 8 Lakers in about 7 ft of water just off my dock. They were definatly going for the schools of bait fish. As for everything else about catching them it is different for every lake. My home turf lake in Ompah we fish 20-30ft in spring and fall trolling with 20lb leadcore with a 4ft gangtroll and silver Williams Wobbler 4". In the summer you are looking at around 38ft and further down. The lake trout likes water at around 54o in temp so stick to those temps if possible. They will suspend in 100ft of water and they will also sit at a dropoff waiting for small fish to come over. In winter the best advice I have ever got was DONT. It is a lucky fisherman who catches Lakers in the winter. One Ontario Out OF Doors Mag said that to catch Lake trout in the winter you will need to drill 50-100 holes before finding them. I usually fish in a hole for 20-40min and move on because they do track the lake. They will do the same laps every time and pretty consisitently so if you catch one in 30ft of water at around 8am try the same area again. Now all of this is only good for inland lakes..I do not know about the Great Lakes and how they work there.

Peter

[almontefisher]

That laker in my avatar pic was caught this year on my lake. 7+lbs.

[muskymatt]

Jeff

If you are still fishing next summer ....I'll take you out to a spot or 2

Hey what happened to coming out to the MCI meeting??][/img]

[HogHunter]

Thanks for all the info guys, I am determined to get one by next spring. I really appreciate all the responses and tips.

Matt...I dont know if I will be fishing next year, but there is a slight chance (yeah right). If so, I would love to hit a laker or two with you, thanks. About the MCI meeting, I was planning on going and even thoguht about it Wed afternnon. Thought, "must call Matt and go with him tonight." And that was the last time it crossed my mind, sorry buddy, I had good intentions but my "memory problems" caught up to me once again. Also, I have been having some luck from shore lately with the musks and thought you mught wanna get out for a few casts one afternoon or early evening...They're still slammin the jig!

[SALMON]

Do you have a floatsuit? Do you own a boat? Starting December 1st lake trout opens on Lake Ontario. If you want a Lake trout or 30.. launch at Queenston and go to the Niagara Bar. 5 miles down from launch. Using a 3 way rig drop 1-1.5 oz of lead about 18" off the bottom. Then add 4'-6' of floro to a hook with either a white tube or 4" minnow. We drift with the current along the bottom in 25' to 35' of water. Not uncommon to have doubles and triple headers on. You have to watch the winds..anything east is no good. And if you can pick days with plus anything its more comfortable. Water clarity plays a part in it so dont go after heavy rains. So a little travel and a lot of fish. My boat is currently getting some work done and I hope to have it ready by the 1st or 2nd week of December to hit some.

[HogHunter]

Thanks Salmon, I dont have a boat at this time, but I am not opposed to renting one. Do you know where I might rent a boat closest to the area you speak of. I am from Nova Scotia and have never been on the great lakes so I have no idea. It would be nice to do a day of trout and a day of walleyes. Thanks for all your info man, and nice fish!!

[SALMON]

I know of no boat rental spots at this time of year. But if my boat is ready at a reasonable time I can get you out. I will pm you when I get my boat back.

[HogHunter]

Wow, Salmon, thanks alot for thinking of taking me out! Thats what I love about the people on this board, the generosity that has offered so many new fishing opportunities for me. I would gladly accept your offer and cover any costs. I really appreciate it. PM me anytime you need a partner and I will travel down without hesitation. Good luck between now and then.