Lake Trout Ice Fishing

Don’t let a little ice and cool temperatures get between you and your lake trout. Lake trout fishing is a great way to make those winters fly by. Let’s face it, winter in Canada can last a little longer than we want. It seems like a long time between the fall and the spring if you are itching to catch some lake trout.

Lake trout can be found at a variety of depths. This is because the fish are looking for the ideal mix of oxygen and water temperature throughout the lake. They seek baitfish at all levels. As a result the lake trout can be found quite deep or quite shallow depending on the time of year. To have success lake trout ice fishing, you need to move as they move.

Generally, lake trout are active feeders at first ice. They can be found in shallow waters between 10 and 20 feet. Don’t be fooled into thinking you have to head to the 50 foot range early on.

The fish can often be found where there is under water points and rocks. At times they have been known to frequent muddy flats between islands. Keep this in mind while lake trout ice fishing, it will give you the best chance for early success.

When the ice thickens it makes the world below the ice, darker. As a result the plankton will suspend higher, closer to the surface. The baitfish follow their meal of plankton to a higher depth, and the trout follow the baitfish. At times you might find them cruising just below the ice even if you are in 70 feet of water. If you can’t find lake trout at a deep depth, they could be hiding under your feet!

At last ice the trout are usually driven deeper. This is because as the ice thins, things get much brighter down below. This drives the plankton deep looking for darkness. The baitfish will predictably follow! Your best success at ice off is at dawn or dusk. The baitfish become active on plankton as things darken and the lake trout take the opportunity to feed.

Whatever time you are lake trout ice fishing, you have to be strategic as you select your spot. If you have a portable flasher depth finder, it can make your job a lot easier. If you know the lake you are fishing, this shouldn’t be a problem. If you are unfamiliar however, a flasher can play a key role. Take your best guess where you want to drill a hole for a look. Look at the shore line and how any structure or points might play into your selection. Evaluate and decide to stay or move on.

Today flashers are being designed with the ice-angler in mind. It provides a great picture of the depth, structure and any nearby fish. The real advantage of the flashers while ice fishing, is they provide a real time snapshot of what is going on beneath the ice. You are stationary, so you will see all the activity below in real time. This includes the movement of your jig, the fish, any structural shifting and so on. This is something you don’t get in the summertime.

Once you have found your location on the lake, think about where you want to put your holes. In a purposeful manner scatter them covering a variety of formations below the water. It is also a good idea to have your holes at a variety of different depths while ice fishing lake trout.

If you are using the flasher depth finder, continue to use it throughout the day. Move it from hole to hole to take a peek on what is going on under the ice. You should be able to spot any suspended fish in the area and get a feel whether or not they are interested in what your lure has to offer.

When you catch a fish, note the depth of the water. If the other holes you have drilled are inactive, drill more at the depth that caught the fish. Don’t sit stagnant with holes that are not having any luck. Keep moving if things are quiet. Find the fish proactively. Don’t wait for them to find you.

The size of the jig you use while lake trout ice fishing can vary. Jigs that are about one ounce work good through the ice. Don’t be afraid to mix it up a bit though. Lots of success lake trout fishing has happened with jigs in the ¼ to 1/2 ounce range. If the fish are not active a smaller jig might do the trick.

There is a good reason the smaller jigs work. In the winter the lake trout’s metabolism slows down as the water temperature gets colder. The trout may simply be “maintenance eating” during this time. Simply digesting enough food to survive the winter may be all that interests any nearby lake trout. If attracted to your bait, the trout may swim up to it and flare its gills. It is attempting to suck the bait into its mouth as it may not have the energy to strike your lure. If the jig you are using is too heavy, it will not be able to pull it into its mouth. If you see fish on your sonar and they are not biting, consider the size of your jig.

An ideal method is to rig up a jig and bait combination on at least 10 pound test. Some anglers go as high as 30 pound test while lake trout ice fishing. Lake trout can get very large, so in many locations the heavier line is warranted.

While lake trout ice fishing, jigging is done from the bottom up. Round jigs, airplane jigs and tube jig heads all seem to work well. Randomly dance the lure at various depths while you are fishing. Use short and slow strokes with long pauses in between. Make sure you don’t present your lure too aggressively. Most strikes happen when the lure is at rest and the bites are often delicate.

Another successful lure to use lake trout ice fishing is a spoon. They can be very effective because not only do the fish see the flash from their movement, but they can also sense the water displaced by their motion. If you are using a spoon let it hit the bottom before you bring it back up. This helps getting interest and can attract fish from afar.

Remember while ice fishing lake trout that the fish can be easily spooked. Movement on the ice by you and your party can cause any fish in the area to leave. Walk light and do your best to keep the noise you make on the surface to a minimum.

Thanks for reading.

Good luck out there!

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