Lake Trout through the ice? (Spray Lake)

[Scott N]

I have never caught a lake trout, and it's one of the fish I would like to cross off my "to do" list.

I've researched this forum and others and got a lot of good tips on what to use. A friend and I were out last Saturday and got skunked, although we both had a bite or two. We were using jigs with smelts, and buzz bombs with smelts. We both tried rigging up a stinger hook with the jigs.

I've spent most of my fishing career fly fishing, so icefishing is something that I don't have a lot of experience with. If anyone is feeling generous, would you mind sharing some insight / tips on how to fish Spray Lake? The water we were fishing in was about 60', and while concentrated on the bottom, we did try fishing different depths. I'm not really sure of the best way to rig up a smelt on a jig or buzz bomb, or how fast / slow to actually jig the bait. I wasn't sure if we should be using whole smelts, or just part of them as bait. If anyone feels like sharing their knowledge, I would be greatful!

[BeeGuy]

Mostly 14-16" fish in there.

Smaller jig and short stinger.

Half a smelt max.

You can set a tip up with some smelt and a #6 octopus hook on the bottom with a bunch of slack.

Give it another try and you'll get one.

Helps to arrive early.

[Scott N]

Thanks for the tips BeeGuy.

[ak-71]

Full smelt with a jig + stinger, (or even a sinker in a pinch to get down fast) work better for me than any tubes / bazz bombs, etc
Never cought a big one there though...

PS. And if you are in the "right" spot - "dead sticking" works well too

[kevinhits]

Mostly 14-16" fish in there.

Smaller jig and short stinger.

Half a smelt max.

You can set a tip up with some smelt and a #6 octopus hook on the bottom with a bunch of slack.

Give it another try and you'll get one.

Helps to arrive early.

How deep of water is best to fish in?

[BeeGuy]

The last laker I caught there, we were sight fishing in 8feet of water.

The trout are everywhere in the winter and at all depths.

As I mentioned, if you use a slightly smaller presentation, you will have more hook-ups.

A full smelt is about the size of a 14-16" laker's entire head.

You want the bait and the hook in its mouth.

Been there twice this year. Last week I only saw 1 trout, maybe 12" long.

If you have sonar you should do well in the deeper water. You can get them without it, it just isnt as fun fishing blind.

[TMLhammy]

Hey Scott,
A buddy and I have made spray our home ice this winter and found some success. I guess each case is different but I would vote for buzz bombs as well... that's what I've caught about 95% of my fish on. I am also new rigging smelt to the buzz bomb treble but I find the most success with the tail 1/3 of the smelt wrapped around two of the hooks... don't know if all on here will love that but that's what seems to work. (I'm open to suggestions if anyone has a better technique they would share).
We look for water depths at 75+ and have the most luck there. Go to the bottom and jig up a repeat...
@Scott & Bee Guy. I have had zero success on my tip up is the bottom trick you use for lakers or whites BG?

[BeeGuy]

lakers

they scavenge smelts off the bottom.

[TMLhammy]

Nice tip thanks BG! :)

[Scott N]

Thanks for all the tips and private messages everyone. I'm going to try again with some new ideas soon.

[ak-71]

BeeGuy, I can see your point for a smaller bait size, but after I found a good place and started using full smelts and a stinger I (and my son, when he comes) are yet to miss out limits there, it's about 7 or 8 outings... I would try it. White tubes worked too, but didn't need them
Only fished it once for lakers this year though.

[BeeGuy]

Just to clarify. I aim for a jig with a stinger, twister tail and smelt chunk that is max 3".

This ensures that when a fish grabs it, it will either grab the stinger or jig hook.

If you are fishin the deeper water, you need braided line.

[Scott N]

Here's another question for you Spray Lake guys / gals.... how often do you move if you're not catching fish? Are the lakers cruising the lake, or is a person more likely to find them based on the structure of the bottom?

[BeeGuy]

Structure of some kind always helps. Whether that is a point, cove, shallow flat, dropoff, or humps out in deep water. I'm sure lots of the lakers cruise around pretty freely, but they do stay in certain areas for a reason.

Last week we found our spot died off mid-morning, so I convinced my buddy to change spots and we got into another half dozen fish within minutes of setting up.

If youre not catching, it cant hurt to move.

$0.05

[EZM]

[QUOTE=

$0.05[/QUOTE]

Are you rounding up? where is my three cents ?????

[BeeGuy]

The register automatically rounds to the nearest nickel.

You will have to speak with management or apply for our credit card and join the customer appreciation program.

[Outcast]

Here's another question for you Spray Lake guys / gals.... how often do you move if you're not catching fish? Are the lakers cruising the lake, or is a person more likely to find them based on the structure of the bottom?
Every 2 - 5 minutes.

[TMLhammy]

Every 2 - 5 minutes.

I've barely caught my breath in that time.