Catching Lake Trout

It’s time to look at some catching strategies as lake trout season approaches.

Have you ever had the satisfaction of landing a trout on a spinner rig that fought so well?

On one of our outings from last spring, we didn’t have a downrigger or a fishfinder, so we looked for the spots we’d fished in the winter. We headed towards a deep channel that we were aware of and used the rope with the big sinker attached to measure our depth. (Of course, it would have been simpler to find if I had registered the location with the GPS the last time out!)

Lake trout like deeper, cooler water, so if you are unfamiliar with the body of water you will be fishing in, seek for deeper holes or troughs.

This lake trout was caught with a light spinner baited with a sizable minnow, and it weighed just over 18 pounds. We were fishing right off the bottom while trolling at a depth of 83 feet.

TROLLING

For trolling, I personally choose a baitcasting rod and reel. With the relatively light 10-pound test monoline, the level wind reel’s effortless retrieval and preferred drag appeal to me. For added security while trolling, we positioned two chain sinkers six feet in front of the spinner. The spinner was one employed for walleye or bass, with one notable difference. We utilised a huge minnow and a tandem hook instead of the standard jighead with a plastic tail. The blade appeared to draw the fish while trolling at a speed of about 1.5 mph, and the minnow was simply too tasty to pass up!

I utilise several “old faithful” ways in addition to this one, which has consistently been pretty beneficial for me.

You can really see the fish you are pursuing and determine at a look what depth they are swimming at if you have a downrigger and a fishfinder. The only thing left to do is pick the right lure or spoon, drop it to the predetermined depth, and then wait. It is simple enough to make a large circle and return over the trout if you pass the school without success. Change the bait if you do this more than twice without any hits. Use a spoon that is smaller, larger, a different colour, or a different lure. When trolled, the trout can’t resist Northern King’s “blueberry muffin” trolling spoon.