Cold Lake - Lake Trout

CMichaud · #1 07-15-2017, 08:33 AM

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 · #2 07-15-2017, 09:38 AM

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 · #3 07-15-2017, 10:07 AM

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 · #4 07-15-2017, 10:20 AM

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 · #5 07-15-2017, 09:53 PM

Thanks for the help.

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

58thecat · #6 07-16-2017, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CMichaud

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...

58thecat · #7 08-05-2017, 10:04 AM

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.
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58thecat · #8 08-05-2017, 10:05 AM

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Got out fished too....

The Spank · #9 08-05-2017, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 58thecat

Attachment 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.

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

Teamprotz · #10 08-05-2017, 02:53 PM

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 · #11 08-05-2017, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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 !

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!!

Teamprotz · #12 08-05-2017, 09:54 PM

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- · #13 08-06-2017, 08:42 AM

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.