Cold Lake - Lake Trout

[CMichaud]

Friend wants to head up to CL this weekend.

I never have been there and nothing about Lake Trout.

Would appreciate any tips on recommended end tackle/bait etc!

Thanks

[Willowtrail]

Do you have downriggers? Lakers are deep in the summer, mainly stay below the thermocline which you can see with a good sonar by adjusting the sensitivity.

If you do have them, I run 20-30lb braid with a fluoro leader around 35' long to a good cross lock swivel. Then I run Northern King trolling spoons or Len Thompson dimple series spoons. I like to stay in 100' of water and rum my scotty downriggers at various depths above bottom but below the thermocline. I run anywhere from 10-30' back behind the release, depends on the fishes mood. I troll with my big motor at 1.8-2.0 mph

If you don't have downriggers you can jig. Also a lot of fun. Hard to anchor in 100' of water but if you have an electric with spot lock it makes life simple. I troll around until I mark stacks of fish on the bottom on my Lowrance and then pull up my gear and anchor. For jigging I use the same line setup but a bit shorter medium fast rod and a 2oz tube jig with a stinger. The fishin hole carries a selection of colors. I like the heavier bigger lures in the summer since the boat is moving a bit and gets you down faster.

Let me know if you have any questions.

[Ken07AOVette]

go to the free provincial boat launch. from there out about a mile. there is a real nice spot. Use a crippled herring rig

[dodgeboy1979]

if you don't have down riggers but a couple pink ladies or dipsy divers to get your lure down in the strike zone.

[CMichaud]

Thanks for the help.

We have downriggers but unexpected boat maintenance put us off this weekend😳

[58thecat]

Thanks for the help.

We have downriggers but unexpected boat maintenance put us off this weekend😳

That's not good because this was the weekend that every other fish was 20lbs and up as apposed to the usual 2lbs, maybe next wk-end...hope the vessel gets repaired...

[mikebossy]

you for real 58?

[58thecat]

:(you for real 58?

Nope, just a local yocal...is all:)

I like the lake because you don't go fishing there you go catching.

[The Spank]

Whats the lowdown this week on the laker bite? Thinking of heading up saturday and breaking in a brand new boat and rigger set up.

[Mackinaw]

Whats the lowdown this week on the laker bite? Thinking of heading up saturday and breaking in a brand new boat and rigger set up.

Was there last mon to fri. Caught 60 fish brought home 1. Lots of small ones this year but lots of action.



Mack

[Teamprotz]

3 of us got 40 jigging Saturday with 8 over , biggest just over 20lbs caught by my 10yr old. Lost a pile as well , I won't use stingers.

[The Spank]

Sounds like steady action. Thanks fellows.

[iYearn]

Was there last mon to fri. Caught 60 fish brought home 1. Lots of small ones this year but lots of action.



Mack

That is a great catch:keep ratio...nice job.

[cube]

3 of us got 40 jigging Saturday with 8 over , biggest just over 20lbs caught by my 10yr old. Lost a pile as well , I won't use stingers.

I guess I will have to try jigging more. I just got back and caught 70 in a day and a half but none would have been retention size.

Of note it was very hot and calm and you could see/ were in large patches of algae die off. The blue green color and ooze was a bit off putting. It must have been to the fish as well because fishing in the really large area's of die off was poor. It also meant the normal jumping in the lake to cool off was out of the question. I for one have never seen it like this on Cold Lake before.

[The Spank]

I headed up this morning for my first attempt ever at Cold Lake. Didn't have to go far or long before I was into my first Cold Lake Laker, 5 minutes tops. I fished 2 hours before the sun broke free of the cloud cover and the winds died so I packed it in. I'm not a sun worshipper by any means and I coukd see my legs turning pink quickly. I ended up with 6 on and 4 landed. I have fished Lake Trout in many waters but have to say the Cokd Lake fish are agressive and strong. Had some good fun, nothing big or anything approaching retention size but those I caught sure were fat bellied little piggies! Must have been really gorging themselves by the look of the bulged bellies. Can't wait for my next set of days off to go after them again!! Thanks all for the info and reports. Much appreciated. For anyone heading up I was getting them at 60' over 100'-180' with 3 3/4" Gibbs Gators in Neon Blue Dolphin & Wonderbread trolled about 25' behind the ball at an indicated 4km/h on my speedometer phone app. Tried various speeds from 2-5km/h but all 6 hits came at 4k.
A few pics....

[Teamprotz]

They are definitely eating well. Sons big one had a fresh burbot sticking out of its mouth and still ate the jig.

[The Spank]

They are definitely eating well. Sons big one had a fresh burbot sticking out of its mouth and still ate the jig.


GEEPERS!! :sSig_cool2:

Are you using big tube jigs? I used to find a white or chartreuse tube jig worked well for Lakers.

[-JR-]

Hey Spank,Maybe they were just full of air from bringing them up from the bottom. This happens a lot on Cold lake when fishing deep.
Glad you had fun.

[The Spank]

Hey Spank,Maybe they were just full of air from bringing them up from the bottom. This happens a lot on Cold lake when fishing deep.
Glad you had fun.

I had one burp while unhooking him and he stayed on the surface about a minute after release before getting himself re-oriented and heading for bottom with a splash of his tail. The others I think were already burped out. Those bellies looked pretty firm though I never felt them. I only touched one before release as he flopped out of the net. The others I unhooked and set back in the water in the net until they swam off. Thanks, yes I had a blast and can't wait to head back! I think I am going to order a bunch of barbless hooks and use them to swap out for on Cold Lake. After seeing all the fish caught around me yesterday with such an incredible fishery I am surprised it's not single barbless hooks only? I will fish the trout there that way voluntarily from now on. Lake Nipigon in Ontario went to single barblees years ago and I think it was a great idea. It's such an untalked about trophy Lake Trout fishery. According to the MNR records the Lake Trout average 18 lbs!!

[Teamprotz]

White tube or bare jig as long as it had bait. All were caught on or near bottom even though there were lots suspended 30-50ft , we fished 90-115 depending on wind direction , tough on calm days !

[The Spank]

White tube or bare jig as long as it had bait. All were caught on or near bottom even though there were lots suspended 30-50ft , we fished 90-115 depending on wind direction , tough on calm days !

Ever tag suspended walleye or ever heard of walleye suspending in Cold Lake and following the big schools of baitfish? Given the size, depths and water temps I could imagine walleye would suspend in there? I saw some nice baitfish balls on the screen yesterday which suspending walleye key in on just like the trout. Originally being from Ontario we used to fish suspended walleye on the Great Lakes and larger inland lakes like Nip****ing. Lake Erie could be alot of fun when the walleye and rainbows were in the same temperature/depth zone. It was nothing to get both at the same depths I was trolling at yesterday and big walleye are known for suspending and feeding on big baitfish like cisco etc as they grow. I ask because with another person or two in the boat we could run my dipsy rigs with a crawler harness and try to cover both species. Wishful thinking maybe?!!:thinking-006:

[Lowrance Fishburn]

Nice day on the lake! Could be their air bladders causing the bellies to distend like that. Not sure how badly that affects survival rate but its hard to avoid sometimes as well. I had a fish spool me off once at Cold Lake (fishing story, i know) but there are some big ones in there.

[ddddd05]

Nice lakers. The bellies are definitely due to air bladders.

Interesting article regarding catching fish at depth

http://www.sportfishingmag.com/fish-descender-devices-release-fishing#page-5

[The Spank]

Nice day on the lake! Could be their air bladders causing the bellies to distend like that. Not sure how badly that affects survival rate but its hard to avoid sometimes as well. I had a fish spool me off once at Cold Lake (fishing story, i know) but there are some big ones in there.

Nice lakers. The bellies are definitely due to air bladders.

Interesting article regarding catching fish at depth

http://www.sportfishingmag.com/fish-descender-devices-release-fishing#page-5

I've never had a Laker with a distended belly before and have hauled them up
from 90-120ft often. I didn't have them come to the surface quickly either as I screwed up on the rigger rod I brought and had to use a 7' medium action spinning rod so it took twice as long to bring them to the boat as with my heavier rigger rods. None of the fish "floated" before release and 3 of the 4 took off the instant they were back in the water. I won't say it wasn't bladder but all 4 came from 60' and had plenty of time to burp off as they ascended. I'll have to touch one to see next time out, provided I am fortunate enough to catch one?! :sign0111:

[cube]

Nice day on the lake! Could be their air bladders causing the bellies to distend like that. Not sure how badly that affects survival rate but its hard to avoid sometimes as well. I had a fish spool me off once at Cold Lake (fishing story, i know) but there are some big ones in there.

While you're probably correct I have caught a number in Cold Lake with large bellies that were not turgid like you would expect in barotrauma. I have chalked this up to Cold Lake having more than one Lake Trout morpho type.

Given Cold Lake has been stocked in from a few different source lakes in its history I would think this would not be unexpected.

[58thecat]

Trout caught there with small heads and a gut, feel week, fight week are stocked, the ones caught an and look like a trout or a wild char are wild fish...

I likes 'em lean and hardy...the plugs/stocked are odd and look like McDonald's folks...:sHa_sarcasticlol:

:)

[58thecat]

Nice lakers. The bellies are definitely due to air bladders.

Interesting article regarding catching fish at depth

http://www.sportfishingmag.com/fish-descender-devices-release-fishing#page-5

Not true, caught them in many depths the gut ones are stocked, small heads, kinda all around deformed.

[58thecat]

I've never had a Laker with a distended belly before and have hauled them up
from 90-120ft often. I didn't have them come to the surface quickly either as I screwed up on the rigger rod I brought and had to use a 7' medium action spinning rod so it took twice as long to bring them to the boat as with my heavier rigger rods. None of the fish "floated" before release and 3 of the 4 took off the instant they were back in the water. I won't say it wasn't bladder but all 4 came from 60' and had plenty of time to burp off as they ascended. I'll have to touch one to see next time out, provided I am fortunate enough to catch one?! :sign0111:

I use 7' medium action rods exclusively and have caught lager guts, small heads, slightly deformed looking stocked fish then a large, lean type wild trout, big difference overall...all are fun to catch though, the lake provides a lot of fun.

[Teamprotz]

Bottom fish tend to be short and stocky , more grayish in color. I find suspended fish longer , leaner and more silvery. Doesn't matter what it looks like when it's a new provincial record. I'm out tomorrow with the kids. Blue tracker targa , 24" orange ball just off my bow !

[58thecat]

Just got off the lake yesterday, lost a few, had multiple hook ups or hits on the willow leaf...landed 18 only had a fifteen minute gap between fish which felt like forever...our set up was a pink lady, down to 50 feet of water, attached to it was a willow leaf and then three feet behind an apex fishing lure, 4.5" rainbow trout pattern, we stayed in 150-200 feet of water, marked lots in a given area and then just enjoyed the catching.
Rods were on the light side but we like the challenge, 7' medium action.
136310

[58thecat]

136311

Got out fished too....

[The Spank]

136311

Got out fished too....

Nice catch!! You did well!!


I'll be glad when work quits getting in the way of open water fishing. :sign0161: I work a 7/7 rotation but my cross shift is on 3 weeks vacation so it might be the end of August before I can get on the water again. Brand new boat ordered in March arrived in April and has seen an entire 5 hours on the water to date! But it beats the alternative being out of work?! I think?!! Lol :thinking-006:

[Teamprotz]

It's crazy. Kids and I have 65 exact count (no bs ) so far 4 over biggest 21lbs. It's 251 now , started at 845. Jigs. Bait. Shallower than expected !

[The Spank]

It's crazy. Kids and I have 65 exact count (no bs ) so far 4 over biggest 21lbs. It's 251 now , started at 845. Jigs. Bait. Shallower than expected !

Shallower doesn't surprise me right now. Hasn't been any real warm weather to warm the surface waters and get them mixing in the wind. A week ago today surface temp showed 63F on my Lowrance in a few feet of water at the launch and thats in the shallows!! That lake is almost as cold on the surface in mid summer as Lake Superior!!:scared0015:

[Teamprotz]

Call me a liar , ended day at 6pm , total count , 83 !! Insane. 73 ft. Wind made it tough in the afternoon , definitely weren't as many fish off the edges. Only 4 over but daughters biggest scaled 21lbs. It was crazy , lost count of doubles and had 3 triples. Never before and probably never again. Had to blow a trailer tire on the way home just to balance the universe !!

[-JR-]

Congrats 83 lakers in a day . This catch and release is paying off for lakers under 75 cm.
I hope one day you will be landing 83 lakers over 75 cm.
But when this happens I hope they give every one tags so the lake does not get fished out .
2 or 3 tags a year is plenty enough .
Don't you agree.

[Teamprotz]

All went back , it was completely insane, kids are sore , I'm sore , less than 10 fish were caught suspended the rest were on bottom. We had a lull around 1pm when we shifted out deeper. Got backed on spot and the craziness started again. When the storm rolled over town and wind picked up it slowed again. Each time we readjusted the wind seemed to shift to move us deeper. Caught a few deeper but 73-76 was THE depth. And boaters license should include passing a boat launch use practical exam. Nuff said !

[Teamprotz]

http://photobucket.com/user/teamprotz/media/IMG_4343.png.html

[Teamprotz]

Fought with posting pics and looks like I lost. Sons fish from July 23 and daughters from aug 5. Looks my my entire album went

[58thecat]

All went back , it was completely insane, kids are sore , I'm sore , less than 10 fish were caught suspended the rest were on bottom. We had a lull around 1pm when we shifted out deeper. Got backed on spot and the craziness started again. When the storm rolled over town and wind picked up it slowed again. Each time we readjusted the wind seemed to shift to move us deeper. Caught a few deeper but 73-76 was THE depth. And boaters license should include passing a boat launch use practical exam. Nuff said !

Yup if you launch at the provincial launch or in the marina it can be entertaining to say the least.:)

Got blown off a lake yesterday, coming in hot, storm on our butts, families swimming at the dock blocking us and others...once they got the point we all helped each other get the boats on the trailers so it all turned out ok!

Oh well long wk-end soon the rug rats are in school and the lakes gets real nice and quit:sHa_shakeshout:

[Teamprotz]

I was pretty much by myself , only one guy rigged remotely close to my anchor. Watched everyone headed east. Was glad the storm headed north/ northwest , we handled the wind but it's a pain when it keeps shifting. If I can find a 215/75r14 spare today we'll head out tomorrow again. Gotta catch them when they are biting

[dugh]

The wife and I caught 81 in two and a half days trolling. Released 80 of them. They are very healthy and provide a fantastic fight. Most of them looked like they swallowed a football. If you have the chance go you'll love it.
Doug

[The Spank]

Fantastic fishing to be sure! Congratulations.

[gman1978]

The lakers are one of them most consistent fish you can catch it seems. They always bite. Some days are better than others but over all there is action if you can get on the lake. Great for kids. Heck when I was a kid we used to catch perch but since that dried up the kids like catching the lakers because there is consistent action.

[58thecat]

The lakers are one of them most consistent fish you can catch it seems. They always bite. Some days are better than others but over all there is action if you can get on the lake. Great for kids. Heck when I was a kid we used to catch perch but since that dried up the kids like catching the lakers because there is consistent action.

Can't wipe the smile of the old folks, father in law loved every minute, said it was the best non stop lake trout fishing he ever did.
136351
We found the bait balls and then it was non stop...light tackle made it really fun!

[58thecat]

I was pretty much by myself , only one guy rigged remotely close to my anchor. Watched everyone headed east. Was glad the storm headed north/ northwest , we handled the wind but it's a pain when it keeps shifting. If I can find a 215/75r14 spare today we'll head out tomorrow again. Gotta catch them when they are biting

I got a 14' crestliner...I tend to run away from the big dark clouds...or at least as fast as the 15 horse Honda can go....:)

[The Spank]

Can't wipe the smile of the old folks, father in law loved every minute, said it was the best non stop lake trout fishing he ever did.
136351
We found the bait balls and then it was non stop...light tackle made it really fun!

There are very few places that offer Lake Trout action this good without going into extremely remote areas. Let's hope it stays this way. Seems like whatever they have set out for a long term management goal is working so far. I like the 30" plus retention and 1 fish limit idea. In fact I like the idea like some B.C lakes of a specified annual catch limit under a special license where you cut out the tags on the permit immediately a fish is retained and once you have reached your annual limit you are not allowed to retain any more until the next license year.

I got a 14' crestliner...I tend to run away from the big dark clouds...or at least as fast as the 15 horse Honda can go....:)

Same here! I'm running a 16' mod v with a 40 merc. When the winds start to pick up so do I....if all goes to plan I'll be running an 18' deep v next season.

[cube]

Trout caught there with small heads and a gut, feel week, fight week are stocked, the ones caught an and look like a trout or a wild char are wild fish...

I likes 'em lean and hardy...the plugs/stocked are odd and look like McDonald's folks...:sHa_sarcasticlol:

:)

When were these fish stocked in?

[-JR-]

The lakers they transplanted into Cold lake are silver looking which is 90 % of the lakers caught.
The lakers that are native to the lake are black or should I say very dark.
I have caught both and both can be thick or tin.

[The Spank]

The lakers they transplanted into Cold lake are silver looking which is 90 % of the lakers caught.
The lakers that are native to the lake are black or should I say very dark.
I have caught both and both can be thick or tin.

I have checked AB stocking records back to 2009 and not a single laker stocked in the entire province. Those 4 pound footballs would not be that old! Colour is not a defermining factor in whether they are native or stocked fish either. Lots of unstocked lakes have varied colour of lake trout. Genetics play the part in that.

[Tfng]

I have checked AB stocking records back to 2009 and not a single laker stocked in the entire province. Those 4 pound footballs would not be that old! Colour is not a defermining factor in whether they are native or stocked fish either. Lots of unstocked lakes have varied colour of lake trout. Genetics play the part in that.

I always figured the transplants were reproducing in different areas or at different times than the native population. This would keep the gene pools separate.

[Willowtrail]

I fished last Monday and my first time laker fishing partner and I landed 85 Lakers. then I went back for the Long weekend with my wife and her mom and we fished Saturday and Sunday and landed close to 50. Most were trolling on the Scotty Downriggers but we did stop and jig. My wife caught the biggest and it was 74.5cm jigging and back down she went.

Then I got the hall pass and am going back up with Viral Override next Thursday and then Vigsy and Best Guide are joining us Friday. We're having an Alumacraft fishing party.

[-JR-]

See you up there Willow trail !

[EZM]

I fished last Monday and my first time laker fishing partner and I landed 85 Lakers. then I went back for the Long weekend with my wife and her mom and we fished Saturday and Sunday and landed close to 50. Most were trolling on the Scotty Downriggers but we did stop and jig. My wife caught the biggest and it was 74.5cm jigging and back down she went.

Then I got the hall pass and am going back up with Viral Override next Thursday and then Vigsy and Best Guide are joining us Friday. We're having an Alumacraft fishing party.

That sounds like a perfect opportunity to crash your Alumacraft party. :argue2:

[58thecat]

Was on the lake from 9am to 12 noon and we caught a hockey sock of 'em.
Lake is hot for catch and release:sHa_shakeshout:one keeper but it too was captured on film then released:)

Son said what do we do in five years when these are 15-20 lbs, I said heavier tackle:)

[The Spank]

Was on the lake from 9am to 12 noon and we caught a hockey sock of 'em.
Lake is hot for catch and release:sHa_shakeshout:one keeper but it too was captured on film then released:)

Son said what do we do in five years when these are 15-20 lbs, I said heavier tackle:)

Thats Lake Nipigon in NW Ontario. The average Lake Trout is 20 lbs!!

[Vigsy]

Alumacraft party this weekend! cant wait!

[Teamprotz]

Was on the lake from 9am to 12 noon and we caught a hockey sock of 'em.
Lake is hot for catch and release:sHa_shakeshout:one keeper but it too was captured on film then released:)

Son said what do we do in five years when these are 15-20 lbs, I said heavier tackle:)

Wish it actually worked that way.

[-JR-]

Just got back from fishing cold lake for a week .
A lot of lakers this year .
All three of my Grand children ages from 7 to 8 all reeled in their first Laker.
They are all hooked now. .......

[Teamprotz]

It's been crazy , kids have been spoiled , lake trout aren't supposed to be easy. Kids want one more trip before back to school

[58thecat]

Yup, troll around for an hour, just farting around and 12 fish later, multiple hits, misses, can't even get a bite of my bologna sandwich :sign0176: fish on!:)

[-JR-]

Always when I am on Cold Lake and beside me is another boat .
I wonder if its someone from hear.
Seen a Lund beside me with a older Honda 100 (10 hp) for a kicker.
Any one hear that owns that boat ?

[Willowtrail]

106 Lakers landed in our boat this weekend. Took 2 newbies out and they got their first.

[mooseknuckle]

106 Lakers landed in our boat this weekend. Took 2 newbies out and they got their first.

Nice!!

[-JR-]

Any keeps Scott?

[The Spank]

Anybody in the mood to try for a few lakers tomorrow? I am thinking of heading up and launching from the provincial park. My boat is only a 17' Mod V equipped with one electric downrigger so we could take turns or I do have extra rod holders and we could run one of my line counter rigs with a dipsy for a second line?

[Mackinaw]

Anybody in the mood to try for a few lakers tomorrow? I am thinking of heading up and launching from the provincial park. My boat is only a 17' Mod V equipped with one electric downrigger so we could take turns or I do have extra rod holders and we could run one of my line counter rigs with a dipsy for a second line?

just use a stacker release and you can run multiple rods off one rigger.

mack

[The Spank]

just use a stacker release and you can run multiple rods off one rigger.

mack

Thanks yes, good idea too. I have a Pro Pack Scotty as well with the dual rod holders though I usually just run my single rod holder model as it's not so bulky. I have no shortage of stacker releases from 18"-48" leads so rigging in for two rods is a piece of cake and mounting an extra rod holder is simple with the versa-trak gunwale system. I think I am going to upgrade my boat choice for next season too. :)

[The Spank]

Haven't had a chance to get back. Any word on if the laker action is still hot?

[58thecat]

Nope no fish! Lakers went to Pearce lake....:)

Better get out as the season for lakers closes soon.

[The Spank]

Yes just got called in to work my days off again. Probably won't make it out in time. Oh well late fall walleye maybe?

[BGSH]

Anyone headed to cold lake fishing this weekend or anyone been to cold lake this past weekend?

[Willowtrail]

Anyone headed to cold lake fishing this weekend or anyone been to cold lake this past weekend?

Headed out there tonight for 3 days. See you at camp buddy

[Mackinaw]

not sure how the bite will be trout may have moved into river allready could get some small ones .. good luck guy hope you do good

mack

[Willowtrail]

The bite was good. Had a lot of fun yesterday. All were small, stayed away from the spawners around the river. Let them do their thing. Caught a few jigging and the rest downrigging. My wife and I landed 27 all not mature yet. Was a beautiful day on the water though.

[Mackinaw]

The bite was good. Had a lot of fun yesterday. All were small, stayed away from the spawners around the river. Let them do their thing. Caught a few jigging and the rest downrigging. My wife and I landed 27 all not mature yet. Was a beautiful day on the water though.

good on you that you left the spawners alone . glad you had a good time.

mack