Cold Lake ice out trout
 

What depth could I expect to find them at the end of May (ice out)? Stocked up on Williams whitefish, flatfish, northern kings and some deeper diving cranks. I don’t have down riggers.

There will be some in the shallower water(15-30 fow) early on but the majority stick out to the deeper water.

No matter what you will need something to get your lures down in order to have good luck, your deep diving cranks(assuming 20 and 30 feet models) might pick up the odd fish but the other lures you listed don't go deep at all on their own. I would look for something capable of getting your lures down to at least 50-60 feet down as you can catch fish that depth year round. Deep six(go straight down) or dipsy divers(can also pull to the side) are options if you don't want to get down riggers(which is what I would recommend as it is far easier to know what depth you are fishing at and they don't create extra drag when fighting a fish).

Some of the best fishing without a down rigger is to jig for them. Since I use a kayak I spend about half my time jigging and half my time using a small down rigger but if I had a nice boat and electric down riggers I would probably troll more(jigging can be dynamite at times though).

Bondy Bait

I use a spoon and attach pearls to it... trust me Cold Lake isn't DEAD!

Dipsy divers, braided line 3-way swivel to 3 oz drop weights works good and jigging my favorite. Are you could go a cheaper route for trolling pick up some wire line works great

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk

I almost exclusively jig for Lakers now and i have the riggers, trolling will work but for sheer numbers jigging is the way to go.

What’s the best place to stay at Cold lake with a Camper and boat?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Try thishttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...43f2a3b74d.jpg

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk

can you launch a boat from this camp ground

The lakers will be sitting in and around the surface to about 30' and they will be hungry, it's a blast early season as they hit spoons etc so don't go all crazy trying to figure them out early season cuz it's real easy.

Back bays are killer for the eyes and pike in May as soon as the ice is off the back bays, after that the eyes move out and are harder to target so take advantage of the early season back bays.

Google a map and you will see the bays.

How busy does early-season get usually fish only in the winter with all these closures and retentions I'm guessing Cold Lake will be busier than normal thanks

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk

She is busy initially but it's a large lake in which you can pick your honey hole...or set people up by jigging, pretending to land fish, hooting and hollering etc....boats will migrate your way and then you head elsewhere...always fun playing with people who just gotta be a boat length away from ya!:)

At that time of year you can find them at any depth from shallow to deep. I have caught them just a foot or two below the surface with those water temps.

I am debating booking a site here for May long but I think there is a good chance of ice being an issue. I fished this lake for my first time last year, any opinions/guesses on whether it will be ice free by then?

Would be a gamble.....and the odds are not in you favour I'm Afraid.

I will wager the ice will be 90% off Cold Lake by May long, but just by a hair. I'm thinking the ice will come off overnight on the 17th. These next 9 days or so will determine what happens. 20-25 degrees is the forecast and thats as good as we can hope for.

Well I booked a site and will keep my fingers crossed!

Don't forget your pearls!!!