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Lake Trout FishingThe Monsters of the Deep!How to catch lake trout remains a mystery to some people. Here we share all of our lake trout fishing secrets. Another of Canada’s great game fish - this is not an easy one to catch. But when you do, it is something you will remember for a long time! The lake trout is a member of the Char family. In fact some folks call it lake char. The lake trout is renouned as both an excellent game fish and a good eating fish !
Lake trout are the largest member of the trout family with the biggest reaching over one hundred pounds. A 102 pound lake trout was taken in a gillnet in Lake Athabasca, Saskatchewan, in 1961. That’s one BIG FISH!! Although it is not common, lake trout will from time to time wander into rivers. Virtually all of their life is spent in lakes however. In the fall when the trout spawn, and in the spring after the ice breaks is when the fish are most active. Lake trout typically spawn between September and November based on water temperature. A large female may deposit between 10,000 and 20,000 eggs. The lake trout does not always spawn each year, however. Many lakers will spawn every other year – or even less – putting added pressure on this game fish.
They are mostly found in Canada, but also to some extent in Alaska and the north-eastern United States. The Fish has also been introduced to other parts of the world, mainly Europe and parts of South America. In Canada however, about one quarter of the worlds population of lake trout reside. Even then they are found in less than 10% of the lakes in the entire country.Lake trout prefer water from 40 to 52 degree F. In summer they often move to depths of 50 to 100 feet, but in spring and fall you can find them at depths of 20 feet or less. With this huge variance in distribution, you can see how lake trout fishing can become a challenge. Lake trout fishing tactics change with the season as the trout seek a constant water temperature. Make note of the approximate depth the fish are at during the year and adjust your strategy accordingly. •Winter lake trout fishing - Dispersed throughout the lake at various depths. Can be a challenge to catch. Check out our Ice Fishing Tips for the best strategies on lake trout and other species through hard water. • "After Ice Out" lake trout fishing - Between 15 feet and the surface • "Mid Spring" lake trout fishing - Roughly 30 to 50 feet below the surface • "Late Spring" lake trout fishing - About 50 to 65 feet below the surface • "Summer" lake trout fishing - This too is when the laker becomes a challenge. The Lake trout is seeking water temperature between 50 and 55 degrees. The active trout can often be found suspended in thermal layers following bait fish. Depending on the size of the lake, these layers can be anywhere from 65 to 100 feet! The use of a downrigger can really help you to nail these fish once they head to deeper waters. Make sure you understand the advantages.
Lake trout primarily eat other small fish in most waters. But in some lakes the laker has been known to feed almost exclusively on insects and crustaceans. These lake trout do not reach the same mass as lakers that feed on fish. So then, how to catch lake trout? Many are taken by trolling with spoons or minnow-like plugs attached to wire-line rigs or downriggers. They can also be taken by bottom-fishing with whole or cut fish. Bait fishermen often use large smelts or herring, and this technique is especially effective for taking very large lakers. But when do you use which strategy? Well, as you probably have guessed, it depends on the time of year. Each season poses different opportunties and challenges while lake trout fishing. Make sure you match the strategy for the time of year. This will significantly improve your chances for success! If you want to know how to fillet lake trout check out our tips! Good luck out there!
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