Few species roam the open waters of huge lake techniques like Lake Trout. Additionally known as Mackinaw, these fish have a voracious urge for food and so they sit on high of the meals chain, working with relative impunity. They patrol deep waters, largely consuming different fish. Trout, Kokanee Salmon, Forage Fish, Small Mammals, Reptiles, and anything within the water higher be careful when Lake Trout are current…
Lures supply among the best choices when fishing for Lake Trout. Whether or not you select an exploratory approach or concentrate on a selected space, lures present the motion that triggers that predatory drive in Lake Trout. Select your favorites, do some experimenting, and begin casting as a result of there are few higher methods to find and catch these fish than with a well-presented lure!
Lake Trout Habits
We all know Lake Trout are predatory however a lot of their conduct is pushed by water temperature and seasonal situations. Meals availability is all the time a high behavioral drive however temperature elements closely into the equation, too. In chilly environments the place lakes freeze, you’ll discover the fish in shallow waters (5–20 toes) instantly after ice-off. In addition they spawn throughout this era and drop eggs as early as February.
As temperatures heat, the fish transfer into deeper waters. They drop to the 40–60 foot vary steadily however will go to a number of hundred toes deep in some environments. Youthful Lake Trout can feed on phytoplankton, bugs, and crayfish, making it attainable to cruise close to the underside or alongside drop-offs and ledges. Adults are likely to search for different fish as forage, and so they’ll transfer by way of the water column to seek out feeding alternatives.
When the fish aren’t feeding, they have an inclination to droop. In any other case, Lake Trout transfer a good quantity as they search and hunt for meals. When giant numbers of different fish are current, they’ll stay in that space slightly than touring away from dependable meals sources. Discover the meals and also you’ll discover Lake Trout!
The Greatest Fishing Lures for Lake Trout
As a basic rule, you’ll be able to go massive when selecting Lake Trout lures. Visibility and motion are two of the first goals. I wish to play with colours and make choices primarily based on total situations and visibility. Brilliant and darkish colours each work effectively. When the fish are lively, they gained’t hesitate to chase down a lure. Once they’re shifting slowly, utilizing minimize bait or reside bait presents a bonus.
Large Spoons
You may’t go incorrect with a heavy spoon. They sink quick, troll effectively, and work nice on the solid and retrieve. Pure gold or silver colours work however I like spoons with combos of chartreuse and silver or pink and silver. While you wish to get deep in a rush, look to the basic spoon to get the job achieved. Extending the final class are blades that resemble a spoon. They’re labeled in a different way however are constructed on the identical basic platform. Massive blades are an incredible choice for Lake Trout.
Large Flatfish
The wobble motion of a flatfish is lethal whereas looking for Lake Trout. These lures are enjoyable to troll and really seen. They arrive in giant sizes, too. Lake Trout have large mouths so don’t fear about oversizing right here—it’s wonderful how they’ll nonetheless inhale these lures. Whereas there are lots of different choices and thrilling lure designs, flatfish are a staple in each severe Lake Trout sort out field.
Jigs
Jigs are on the desk for each species and so they’re very nice when Lake Trout are suspended down deep. When you can maintain a place over a bunch, it’s attainable to get proper of their face. Search for stout hooks and jigs that implement rubber and different lively parts. The extra movement you’ll be able to add, the higher success in my expertise. That stated, a scent-filled delicate plastic threaded on a jig hook by no means hurts your odds of catching a monster.
Diving Lures
Manufacturers like Rapala and Lurh Jensen make diving lures to achieve particular depths. When you’ve got a most well-liked depth vary, examine the labels intently. You may all the time add depth with extra weight or a downrigger setup. Diving lures make it attainable to benefit from the motion of crankbaits and stickbaits far beneath the floor. They’re wonderful for trolling and a ton of enjoyable to solid as effectively. If yow will discover a dependable drop-off, maintain the place in a ship and solid and retrieve to actually really feel the load of a Mackinaw strike.
Blades and Spinnerbaits
Fish can see a spinnerbait or blade-style lure from lengthy distances. If they’ve trolling flashers rigged in tandem, it actually turns into an incredible setup. I like blades connected to hoochie rigs that use rubber lures. They’ll seem like squid, which isn’t one thing Lake Trout eat, however they nonetheless work very well. There are lots of completely different spinnerbaits and blade lures that are perfect for trolling.
Lake Trout Lure Fishing Methods
Most anglers affiliate Lake Trout with deep-water fishing strategies. Whereas the necessity to deep jig or troll with downriggers is frequent, you’ll be able to solid and retrieve to catch fish as effectively. I’ve even caught them on the fly proper after ice out!
The early spring season is the very best time to seek out Lake Trout within the 20–30 foot vary. Within the decrease 48 states, they go deep inside a month or so of ice-off. In Alaska, they appear to remain in that vary a bit longer because the seasons are a lot shorter. Regardless of the place you select to chase this species, it pays to have a ship with a downrigger and a high-quality fish finder.
Studying the topography of the lake’s backside is the important thing to constantly discovering Lake Trout. They like deep construction and channels the place they will journey. Utilizing electronics to review the underside will assist you to constantly discover fish.
The place to Catch Monster Lake Trout
Mackinaw are largely distributed all through Alaska and the Nice Lakes area. They love massive, chilly our bodies of water with giant populations of forage fish. Populations have been launched throughout northern states and even in California as effectively. Some very giant fish are caught in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain states and so they’re even thought of a menace to delicate species like Bull Trout in Montana.
A few of the finest lake trout fishing within the west happens in Blue Mesa Reservoir in Colorado and Flathead Lake in Montana. Flaming Gorge Reservoir in Utah is one other favourite for very giant specimens.
For world-class motion, anglers also needs to look to Canada. Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and the Northwest Territories have some really unimaginable alternatives. Canada is loaded with massive lakes that supply perfect habitats. Like Alaska, entry ranges from simple to extraordinarily distant.
Get Your Lake Trout Fishing Lures Moist!
Now that you recognize which lures to make use of, hit the water and catch a 30+ lb Lake Trout. It’s unimaginable how giant these fish develop and it’s uncommon that they aren’t within the temper to eat. Simply know that you just would possibly want some severe wall house should you determine to mount one! Lake Trout are heavy, enjoyable, and so they promise to check your sort out. Dangle on tight and put together for a battle!
Are you in love with fishing the deep waters the place Lake Trout reside? We’d love to listen to about your finest lures and the way you fish them. Attain out within the comments beneath!
