Lake trout fishing is fun and exciting due to the size and fight of these fish. These fish often fight until the very end. Lake trout are in the trout family and frequent deep, cold water. They are a stocked and natural resource throughout the northern states. They are even stocked in some of Tennessee’s deep clear lakes.
In the spring during spawning season, lake trout can be found in shallow rocky water. In the summertime, you better look at the deepest spots in the lake you are fishing. These fish are a cold water species that like to keep it that way.
When to Fish for Lake Trout
Lake trout like cold water and little light. The best times to fish for lake trout are in the winter months or spring and fall. If you are fishing for lake trout in the summertime, look for deep cold water places. They do not like light, so opt to fish in the early morning or late evening. Some people even fish for them overnight with a lot of success. Remember, lake trout are still trout and feed on insects. You can use this to your advantage by fishing during bug hatches on your home lake.
Ice fishing is popular for lake trout. Since these fish are a cold water species, they thrive in the wintertime. Jigging and live bait have been proven methods for catching lake trout through the ice.
How to Catch Lake Trout
Lake trout can be caught by a variety of fishing techniques. The most common is jigging. Usually done in the deep water with a large plastic jig made for lake trout. These trout are predatory fish and consume just about any baitfish that swims. The larger the better lure for lake trout. These fish grow large and live a long time. They will feed on the biggest bait possible to fill their stomachs.
Trolling is another technique used to catch lake trout. Popular on the Great Lakes, trolling involves pulling lures behind a moving boat. This allows the angler to cover the water and find the fish. Popular lures to use for trolling are spoons, spinners, and flasher/fly combos. All are effective for lakers while trolling close to the bottom.
Rod and Reel Setup
The rod and reel choice for lake trout depends on how you are fishing for them. If fishing through the ice, use a medium longer than normal ice fish rod spooled with a line capable of pulling the fish in. In the Great Lakes region, this means using up to 40 lb. line.
If you are trolling for lake trout, a wire diving rod and reel might be best. Since lake trout frequent deep, clear water it is necessary to use the heaviest setup to get to those depths. A line counter reel is a must when trolling for lake trout because you want to be as precise as possible.
Jigging for lake trout requires a medium to medium heavy rod at about 7 feet long. The reel can be a bait caster or spinning setup. The rod needs to be heavy enough to handle the large fish and baits needed.