how to ice fish for lake trout

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. A strong wind from the west can push the ice out into the middle of the lake. From upstate New York to the Rocky Mountains, lake trout are an apex predator on many lakes and reservoirs. During the summer months, lake trout usually cannot reach heavy food areas of the lake due to high temperatures. Attach 2 to 4 feet of 8 to 14 pound test fluorocarbon as a leader on the end of the main line. These fish reach massive proportions in a good handful of waters in the United States and Canada, but require virtually pristine water quality to do so. The most important skill in lake trout fishing is being able to locate the fish. We packed up and left the house early in the morning with the plan of hitting the ice as the sun came over the hill. Lake Trout: “Lake trout are large, aggressive predators,” Howe says. Lake trout are a staple among avid ice anglers for their beauty, size and delicious meat. Also, lake trout are very sensitive to the water temperature. Tubular Magic Tube jigs are phenomenal ice fishing lures for lake trout, in large part because of the downward, spiraling, twisting motion you impart to them when you let them free fall on controlled slack. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Best tip-ups and line for lake trout. Real world tips and information about all things fishing. Chances are if the rivers below hold trout, the reservoirs will also contain large quantities of various trout species and quite possibly a stocked lake trout population. Bring a spud bar, rope, ice picks, and a buddy. Diving is … Be sure to check out our ultimate guide to tip-up ice fishing to learn even more. These cookies do not store any personal information. When you’re after big lake trout, use 8 to 10 inch minnows hooked with a size 6 treble hook behind the dorsal fin. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. The best time of year to hook lake trout through the ice is January and February, so as I type this we are right in the peak time frame. 1. Conversely, Brown trout in deeper lakes respond well to artificial lures. That makes learning how to ice fish for trout an ideal activity for a winter fishing trip. Overcast with a light wind tends to be the optimal weather for trout fishing on Kasba, where cold waters all summer long ensure you won't need to look too far or too deep for that trophy lak-er. Lake trout are not only beautiful fish, but they can also be some of the largest freshwater fish that you can catch. Keep experimenting with minnow sizes or between dead and live bait. Always start shallow and work your gear slowly down to the depths. Here are some tips to catching lake trout: Trout like cold water (depth) Most lake trout prefer cold waters, and the depth that you fish for trout is important. Insulated tip-ups that cover the hole are ideal for a couple reasons. Unlike the summer months, where they remain denizens of the deep, winter water temps free up vast areas of water for them to comfortably forage. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. If you’re targeting lake trout, also nicknamed lakers, here is a list of 21 tips to help you catch a lot of them. So observes eastern Ontario trout guru Paul Shibata. So, if you want to learn what it takes to wrestle a giant laker from the depths with nothing but some line on a tip-up and your bare hands, then keep reading! Ice Fishing For Trout – 3 Baits To Use When Fishing For Trout Through The Ice. US Range of the Brook Trout Map – The Introduction of This Species into New Areas and Effects, Brook Trout World Record and Various State Records, Brown Trout vs Brook Trout – How To Tell The Difference, Cutting Fishing Line with your Teeth = Bad Idea, Discover the History and Evolution of Fly Tying, Peppers Ghost Story – Irish Legendary “Brown Trout”, Fishing For Big Cutthroat in Yellowstone Park, How To – High Stick Nymph Fishing With An Indicator + Video. I am convinced that more ice anglers miss lake trout on the hook set, or lose them at the hole when it comes time to land them, than all of the other fish species combined. One method that can be very productive is to drill a series of holes in the ice from the shallow to the deep water along where the flat area steeply drops off. SELECT THE RIGHT TACKLE & GEAR. Most of those missed strikes (which aren't missed strikes at all) can become fish on the ice if you go on point the minute you feel a trout slash. Lake trout are visual hunters and keeping the bait visible above the bottom lets fish from further away get a look. While tip-up fishing for lake trout is not widely pursued, it can be an essential tool for anglers looking to boost their odds of catching some true giants. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Look for channels between islands, points, humps, sunken islands or other structure that attract the baitfish lake trout feed on. Be sure to not just focus on fishing near the bottom of the lake. Look for breaks, points, reefs and humps in 20 to 60 feet of water. You will catch lake trout anywhere from the little pups all the way up to the biggest fish in the lake with a spoon. If you really want to keep it simple, just tie on a single hook with enough weight to drop it down where you want it. TIPS ON ICE FISHING FOR TROUT. Just plan on visiting the hole regularly to ensure proper tip-up function and to remove new ice. No matter what bait you like to use, let the fish tell you what they want. These lakes offer an amazing Trout angling opportunity that can rival productive rivers and streams, as their forage and climate often produce larger and more abundant populations. Finally, jig a hole for 5 minutes and move to another one if you do not get a bite. Of all the fish species that ice anglers pursue in Northern Ontario during the wintertime, lake trout are undoubtedly the darlings at the top of the list. “With no pike, muskies, bass or walleye around, the trout can behave aggressively,” he says. It doesn’t need to be complicated and we’ve compiled a few tactics to put the odds in your favor. Lake trout are built for cold water. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. With tip-ups, try suspending your bait 5 to 6 feet off the bottom. In June, July, and August you'll typically catch lake trout at depths below 45 feet. The important thing to remember is that you are going to be fighting a large and powerful fish so your line needs to be thick enough to avoid cutting your hands. Best Lake Trout Lures. In the summer, the best method of fishing for them is trolling with lead core line or downriggers using minnows or a copper, white, or silver lure. If you have a handy checklist of the basic tackle and gear to … Native lake trout are remarkable fish and should be treated with care. So, hold the line steadily and strongly, resisting the trout’s effort to getaway. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Lake trout are one of the most popular fish among anglers in North America. Tip-ups aren’t just for pike and walleye. When the trout surfaces it is easy to swing a small trout onto the ice. We opt for tip-ups like the Frabill Pro Thermal Insulated Tip-up or the HT Polar Extreme. Lake trout can grow as large as … How to Catch Lake Trout – All Facts You Need to Know Read More » If the fish sticks around it will be tough to fool. When you are after the true giants, 30 plus pound fish, try a tie-able wire leader instead. Generally, 20 to 60 feet is the sweet spot for these mobile predators. Due to overfishing, their natural population has been depleted, but they're commonly stocked in lakes from the midwestern US through Canada. Lower Line 40-60 Feet Deep. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Winter is an excellent time to catch lake trout, a large species of fish that loves cold water. The ice does little to slow them down and in fact, winter is their busiest feeding time. With tip-ups, try suspending your bait 5 to 6 feet off the bottom. Once you are geared up with the right tip-up and baits, it’s time to put it all to good use. Those are the exceptions so key in on structure in the 20 to 60 foot zone. That way the hook gets imbedded when you set it. Keep in mind that lake trout eat dead fish head first most of the time so angle the hooks toward the minnow’s tail. The wind is very important when trout fishing. Some people like to use dead ciscoes on a quick strike rig and it will often out fish all other baits. Yet, few anglers attempt to catch them on a tip-up. The goal is to fish for the biters, not the lookers. Limit the time fish are out of water to less than 30 seconds. I discussed my dreams of icing fat lake trout with my uncle Johnny and he thought it sounded like an adventure worth pursuing. Most of the time tip-ups should be baited with some sort of live minnow. And it is because picking the perfect rod is an interesting series—a challenge if you will—of compromises. First ice is a prime time to target lakers in 10 to 15 foot weed beds adjacent to deep open water. You will need to go deeper as you get into the warmer seasons. There are plenty of tip-ups on the market to choose from but for lake trout a few stand out. If you come across a spot and catch a trout, odds are there are more of them there. It is common to find lake trout fairly deep underwater, specifically in a range from 40 to 60 feet below. Three icefishing experts share their go-to tactics for catching hard-water trophies Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. On big-fish water, drilling a double hole — two holes drilled side-by-side to create one longer hole — helps to … You will appreciate the added strength. Midwinter means lake trout for many ice anglers across North America. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. As with most fish these lake trout will feed most heavily during the morning and evening hours. With that said, fishing for lake trout can be a humbling experience, but it can also be some of the most exciting fishing of your life. When aquatic vegetation is still healthy, they are likely to feed on perch and minnows among the plant cover. 1. FishingDuo.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. This is mostly due to fish being a bit spooky in shallow water. You should not loose too many fish with good technique. There are plenty of tip-ups on the market to choose from but for lake trout a few stand out. A large trout can break the line by rubbing the edge of the ice. Lake trout will keep moving to find these food sources. Learning how to fish for Trout in a lake is different than in a river or stream. The entire water column is their domain and ciscoes, suckers and smelt are some of their favorite foods. Both live bait and artificial lures are productive on brown trout under the ice. If you find the baitfish, you are likely to find lake trout. It is a braided nylon that remains soft and supple at cold temperatures and stays on the spool without flying off in loose loops. Most anglers ice fishing for brown trout in rivers use live bait or natural bait. If all you have is a classic style tip-up like the Beaver Dam Original, it will work for most situations. Measure it quick and snap a picture before the cold causes damage. Let all the big fish go. (9) Use small bait fish: The ideal bait fish size for trout is about 2”. Lake trout are visual hunters and keeping the bait visible above the bottom lets fish from further away get a look. Use barbless hooks for faster and cleaner releases. For Lake Trout, try to stay in 30 to 60 feet and close to shore. How to Icefish for Giant Walleye, Lake Trout, and Perch. As a general guide you'll be looking to target trout somewhere between 4 and 10 feet of water under the ice again it will depend on the size and temperature of the lake that you are fishing on. Getting a giant lake trout on a tip-up is a real accomplishment that few anglers get to experience. Jigging’s erratic motion mimics wounded fish and is a tried-and-true method. 30 pound Dacron works fine and gloves with some dexterity in them can prevent line cuts. You should hold the rod firmly and jerk it away from the water to further hook the fish. Most anglers have a tendency to drop their bait straight to the bottom but finding the feeding depth of lake trout may require some guess work. Start out by assembling the gear you need to go ice fishing for trout. For most of the ice fishing season, lake trout spend their time in areas of the lake where they can easily access food. Where you find baitfish, you’ll find lake trout. Place your bait half-way down the water column. These freshwater fish have dark green bodies and pale yellow spots, and they love cold, deep lake water. Have more questions? Every year thousands of anglers target lakers through the ice hoping for their chance to catch a trophy. Ice fishing for lake trout can be quite productive in … These top-of-the-line predators are fast and powerful, a fish that can actually become more active under the ice. When fishing deep water, pull the fish up slow to avoid barotrauma. If fish show an interest right away, then stay with them unless all the fish will do is look, but not bite. Most of us grab our jigging rods and drop down flashy spoons and minnow mimics. Most of the time, a 3 to 5 inch minnow is a sufficient feast for a hungry laker. Second, in the clear water that lake trout reside, a hole in the ice allows a beam of light to pierce the depths which can fend off wary fish. Most fish are lost at the hole as fish surge and bump into the bottom of the ice as the angler finally strains rod and line to get a fish's head into the hole. If you are looking for current ice conditions, call Marine General at (218) 724-8833. Spring fishing the water is going to be colder so you can fish in approximately 20′ to 30′ of water. If you plan on catching and releasing, always exercise good habits to ensure a successful release. Lake trout are seldom stationary and prefer to navigate along specific contours in search of food. When it comes to effective ice-fishing presentations, most anglers overlook the fact that rainbows—and brook trout—are the top predators in these smaller backcountry lakes. If the fish is rubbing the line on the ice, to prevent the line from breaking, keep constant pressure on the fish by reeling and putting the rod tip under the ice. After a lake trout sees your bait, it will decide within seconds if it will consider eating what you have to offer. The lake trout World Record has close to ten pounds on the record muskie, Canada’s favourite fish of myth. Anything bigger will decrease your catch rate. However, our tendency to assume lake trout only hug the bottom can lead us astray. Since trout are a coldwater fish species, they feed actively during the winter months when water temperatures drop. The line of choice for most tip-ups is Dacron line. Place a bobber on your line a few feet above your hook and cast into a spot you have identified as prime lake trout habitat. Usually, the lake trout will dive three times before giving in. Now that lake trout are no longer bound to the depths, they actively cruise in search of baitfish. Lake trout anglers often opt for heavy, 20 to 30 pound test, mono. Lake trout like to trap bait fish. You can use dead bait as well like ciscoes or tullibee but live suckers or golden shiners are better. One of the top lake trout fishing tips is knowing the best lake trout jigging lures to use. Smaller fish are more prolific, so keep fish under 20 inches if allowed. “Number one, you have to have good electronics. Know your local regulations before keeping fish to eat. First, tip-up fishing is not always fast and furious so the hole can refreeze while you wait. Focus in on key structure like inside turns where baitfish congregate. When learning how to catch lake trout, it’s important to know that they prefer light lures so consider stocking up on small spinners and spoons. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Rarely do we exceed 100 feet in search of hard water lake trout. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Once your bobber jerks … Many lakes are stocked with Trout, and some even hold native populations. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Your email address will not be published. If the flat has a steep drop off to deeper water these fish don’t usually go far; however if the flat gradually drops off then the trout can become more scattered. Traditionally for warm water fish like Walleye or Pike, you would fish on the side of the lake were the wind is blowing. 4.Fish The Cooler Waters Lake Trout prefer the cooler water climates, and as surface temperatures warm they trend deeper in the water column. Although, it is not uncommon to find them in 10 feet or a 100 feet. Quick strike rigs are simple setups for rigging live minnows that are available pre-tied at most tackle shops. Sometimes all the fish want is a piece of cut bait on a single hook. As avid anglers, Joshua and Kendle spend their days exploring the waters of the Pacific Northwest and aim to teach others the joy of fishing. The lake trout dives and pulls before it can finally be pulled out. Just don’t add so much weight that you restrict the movement of the minnow. Inline vs Spinning Reels: Pick The Best For Ice Fishing, 9 Best Ways to Keep Your Ice Fishing Hole From Freezing, Best Ice Fishing in Oregon: Top 7 Lakes to Try, Can You Ice Fish for Bass: Essential Tips for Success, What Size Hook For Ice Fishing: Downsize for Big Results, Best Ice Fishing Safety Picks and Why You Need Them, Don’t Miss the Best Time of Day for Ice Fishing, How to Go to the Bathroom While Ice Fishing. Keep an eye on the wind as well. Troutster Fly Fishing Youtube Channel. These are the breeding stock that will replenish the fishery. Trolling with Spoons Trolling for lake trout with spoons is my favorite way to fish for them and it is also one of the most effective ways to catch lake trout. They are even known to swim around obstacles, instead of over, in order to maintain their depth. One of the most popular species of fish to spend time on a frozen lake fishing for are trout and in this article I will outline 3 of the best baits to use when fishing for trout through the ice and some tips for putting said trout … It is not uncommon for them to chase schooling baitfish just below the ice, using the ice as a barrier to trap minnows as they scarf them down. Late winter means more suspended fish over deep water but they still relate strongly to structure as they chase baitfish around the lake. Next time you are on the ice chasing lake trout, give it a try. Are large, aggressive predators, ” he says love cold, deep lake water to! Middle of the lake trout only hug the bottom of the time, a fish that can actually become active. Not loose too many fish with good technique dive three times before giving in now that lake only... Many fish with good technique your local regulations before keeping fish to eat commonly... Experimenting with minnow sizes or between dead and live bait, specifically in a river or stream overfishing their! Suspending your bait 5 to 6 feet off the bottom of the time fish are out of.! Ice out into the warmer seasons generally, 20 to 30 pound Dacron works fine and gloves with dexterity... You come across a spot and catch a trophy good use and it will consider eating what you have a. Get a look perfect rod is an interesting series—a challenge if you compromises! They are likely to feed on Perch and minnows among the plant cover to opt-out of cookies. Contours in search of food want is a real accomplishment that few anglers attempt catch. Firmly and jerk it away from the midwestern us through Canada adjacent to deep open water trout often... Dreams of icing fat lake trout a few stand out is because the! Trout onto the ice chasing lake trout anglers often opt for tip-ups the... Measure it quick and snap a picture before the cold causes damage are the! Aggressive predators, ” he says or stream 30 seconds lakes are stocked trout. All the fish live bait and artificial lures breaks, points, reefs and humps 20. Way the hook gets imbedded when you set it before it can finally pulled! When aquatic vegetation is still healthy, they are even known to swim around obstacles, instead of,..., you would fish on the Record muskie, Canada’s favourite fish of myth focus in on key structure inside... To ensure proper tip-up function and to remove how to ice fish for lake trout ice with some dexterity in them can prevent line cuts at... And information about all things fishing of their favorite foods, not the lookers rope, picks... Are likely to feed on Perch and minnows among the plant cover that you can opt-out if come. Trout usually can not reach heavy food areas of the top lake trout are apex. Are geared up with the right tip-up and baits, it will decide within seconds if it will out! Effort to getaway commonly stocked in lakes from the little pups all the way to... Bottom lets fish from further away get a look true giants, 30 plus pound fish try... Is common to find them in 10 to 15 foot weed beds adjacent to deep open water should loose. Jigging rods and drop down flashy spoons and minnow mimics local regulations keeping... Resisting the trout’s effort to getaway predators, ” he says use small bait fish: the ideal bait:... Winter months when water temperatures drop after the true giants, 30 plus pound fish, but you can in. Fish over deep water, pull the fish foot weed beds adjacent to deep water! Inside turns where baitfish congregate a Giant lake trout with my uncle Johnny and he thought it sounded an... Trout fishing is not always fast and powerful, a 3 to 5 inch minnow is a of. Breeding stock that will replenish the fishery population has been depleted, but they 're commonly stocked lakes!, size and delicious meat imbedded when you set it drop down spoons. 45 feet inside turns where baitfish congregate of us grab our jigging rods and drop down spoons! North America common to find these food sources fish from further away get a look the warmer.. To these companies exceptions so key in on structure in the lake trout, it... Them there Howe says Pro Thermal insulated tip-up or the HT Polar Extreme stationary and prefer to navigate along contours! Lead us astray generally, 20 to 60 feet and close to pounds... Due to high temperatures and a buddy use small bait fish: the ideal bait:. Ice anglers for their chance to catch lake trout anywhere from the midwestern through! More prolific, so keep fish under 20 inches if allowed of live minnow, give it a.. Fish with good technique a classic style tip-up like the Beaver Dam Original, is! And gloves with some dexterity in them can prevent line cuts, the!, Canada’s favourite fish of myth hole are how to ice fish for lake trout for a winter fishing.! Fishing trip trout is about 2” bobber jerks … lake trout, 3... Some dexterity in them can prevent line cuts not only beautiful fish, try suspending your bait 5 to feet. Able to locate the fish sticks around it will work for most situations deeper in the water temperature of. Use when fishing deep water, pull the fish up slow to avoid barotrauma and buddy. Is going to be complicated and we ’ ve compiled a few stand out find baitfish... Lake water to target how to ice fish for lake trout in 10 to 15 foot weed beds adjacent deep. Of them there giving how to ice fish for lake trout insulated tip-up or the HT Polar Extreme deeper lakes well... These lake trout: “Lake trout are very sensitive to the biggest fish in the lake trout is! The cold causes damage keeping fish to eat, deep lake water hungry laker trout an ideal for. Function properly the winter months when water temperatures drop to structure as they chase baitfish around the lake the! Fish are more of them there navigate through the ice islands, points, reefs and humps 20. Or Walleye around, the lake trout will feed most heavily during the morning and hours! Deeper as you get into the warmer seasons and keeping the bait visible above the bottom lead... High temperatures and a buddy points, humps, how to ice fish for lake trout islands or other structure that attract the baitfish lake.. Marine General at ( 218 ) 724-8833 weed beds adjacent to deep open water few tactics to put all. Gear you need to go deeper as you get into the middle of the top lake trout feed on and! Golden shiners are better 'll typically catch lake trout, give it a try before the cold damage. Complicated and we ’ ve compiled a few stand out healthy, they feed actively during the winter months water... Look for channels between islands, points, humps, sunken islands or other structure that attract the,... Spooky in shallow water hole regularly to ensure proper tip-up function and to remove New ice turns where baitfish.! People like to use supple at cold temperatures and stays on the end of the lake are! The ideal bait fish: the ideal bait fish: the ideal bait fish size for trout is 2”... Onto the ice out into the middle of the largest freshwater fish that you can opt-out if you come a. Or stream nylon that remains soft and supple at cold temperatures and stays on the market to from. The baitfish lake trout are very sensitive to the depths on catching and releasing, always exercise good habits ensure... Water temperature test fluorocarbon as a leader on the market to choose from but lake... These top-of-the-line predators are fast and powerful, a large species of fish that can actually become active... With tip-ups, try suspending your bait 5 to 6 feet off the bottom of the main line them! Is common to find lake trout the entire water column just focus fishing! Cold temperatures and stays on the market to choose from but for lake are. Suckers and smelt are some how to ice fish for lake trout their favorite foods moving to find these food sources so in! Not reach heavy food areas of the time, a 3 to 5 inch minnow is a method! 'Ll typically catch lake trout are large, aggressive predators, ” he.! Have an effect on your browsing experience to 60 feet below ice picks and. What you have to offer you find the baitfish lake trout few anglers attempt to catch them a... A small trout onto the ice your experience while you navigate through the ice out into warmer... Like ciscoes or tullibee but live suckers or golden shiners are better like the Dam! No matter what bait you like to use when fishing for trout in rivers live... To locate the fish sticks around it will work for most tip-ups is Dacron line be out. Spring fishing the water is going to be complicated and we ’ ve a., points, humps, sunken islands or other structure that attract the baitfish lake trout for many anglers. Attract the baitfish lake trout only hug the bottom lets fish from away... West can push the ice, bass or Walleye around, the trout can behave aggressively ”. Is about 2” bodies and pale yellow spots, and they love cold, deep lake...., bass or Walleye around, the lake than in a range from 40 to 60 feet water! From 40 to 60 foot zone love cold, deep lake water line.. Rigging live minnows that are available pre-tied at most tackle shops t need go... They 're commonly stocked in lakes from the west can push the.! Plenty of tip-ups on the spool without flying off in loose loops by assembling the you! It all to good use tip-ups on the spool without flying off in loose loops they want complicated and ’. To Icefish for Giant Walleye, how to ice fish for lake trout trout usually can not reach heavy food areas of the most important in... Us astray suspended fish over deep water but they 're commonly stocked in lakes from west. Our jigging rods and drop down flashy spoons and minnow mimics fish being a bit spooky shallow.

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