Cold lake

[Maghunter]

Wondering how the water level in Cold Lake is. Most lakes are way down. I will be heading out in the next week or two.

[58thecat]

Water level is still down, your good to go if you launch at the provincial park, marina or English bay but French bay MD launch is really shallow and many are getting stuck launching there.
Good luck.


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[EZM]

Originally Posted by 58thecat

Water level is still down, your good to go if you launch at the provincial park, marina or English bay but French bay MD launch is really shallow and many are getting stuck launching there.
Good luck.


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The French bay launch is pretty shallow even when the water is up to normal levels - ok for my boat but can't imagine a bigger boat in there when the water is low.

[dennisb]

Just got back from cold lake. Camped at English Bay and the boat launch was tough. Water is pretty low. Was my first time there so not sure if that’s normal. I have a 19 foot Lund and had to tie the back of the boat to the dock then drive forward. Not the end of the world. The weather Friday and Saturday was good and fishing was outstanding.

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by dennisb

Just got back from cold lake. Camped at English Bay and the boat launch was tough. Water is pretty low. Was my first time there so not sure if that’s normal. I have a 19 foot Lund and had to tie the back of the boat to the dock then drive forward. Not the end of the world. The weather Friday and Saturday was good and fishing was outstanding.

Nope not normal as it is a steep drop off to deep water usually but hopefully with the rain we are getting the lake levels increase

French bay launch with its shallow sandy bottom gets deep ruts due to people attempting to get their boats on/off the trailer and don’t ease out in four wheel drive....watched too many trucks pin it and sink in two wheel drive then engage four wheel drive sometime too late and need a tow out.....this makes the launch very difficult for others.

The pontoon boat gets launched at the provincial park with no issues at all and the kayaks are good to go anywhere anytime

[fish99]

Been fishing cold this week the weather has made it difficult to get out some days. When have been out its been slow except this after noon once the sun went behind the clouds the bite was on. Its was nice and calm what a change from earlier in the week. Picked up my personal best at just over 14 lbs and 82 cm. Not a lot of boats out. The last few days.

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by fish99

Been fishing cold this week the weather has made it difficult to get out some days. When have been out its been slow except this after noon once the sun went behind the clouds the bite was on. Its was nice and calm what a change from earlier in the week. Picked up my personal best at just over 14 lbs and 82 cm. Not a lot of boats out. The last few days.

Stayed off the lake due to rain and crappy temps but heading out now.

Funny over the last few outings we found the fish bite to get more aggressive and we actually started hitting numbers over 30” but seems these bigger fish come off the bottom or very close to it at the deep end of steep drops.

Once we found out colour pattern etc it was game on....hope this aggressive bite continues

[russ]

Originally Posted by 58thecat

Stayed off the lake due to rain and crappy temps but heading out now.

Funny over the last few outings we found the fish bite to get more aggressive and we actually started hitting numbers over 30” but seems these bigger fish come off the bottom or very close to it at the deep end of steep drops.

Once we found out colour pattern etc it was game on....hope this aggressive bite continues

Jigging or trolling? We’re at CL too.

[Frank_NK28]

Originally Posted by 58thecat

Nope not normal as it is a steep drop off to deep water usually but hopefully with the rain we are getting the lake levels increase

French bay launch with its shallow sandy bottom gets deep ruts due to people attempting to get their boats on/off the trailer and don’t ease out in four wheel drive....watched too many trucks pin it and sink in two wheel drive then engage four wheel drive sometime too late and need a tow out.....this makes the launch very difficult for others.

The pontoon boat gets launched at the provincial park with no issues at all and the kayaks are good to go anywhere anytime

Costs a whole $8/day to launch, park and recover at the Marina where you have a top notch facility and paved right to the launch. Don't have to trailer on potholed gravel roads and deal with sinkhole sand launches and docks with metal pipes that gouge the sides of your boat etc.

[Weavster]

Originally Posted by Frank_NK28

Costs a whole $8/day to launch, park and recover at the Marina where you have a top notch facility and paved right to the launch. Don't have to trailer on potholed gravel roads and deal with sinkhole sand launches and docks with metal pipes that gouge the sides of your boat etc.

I think its $10 now! Either way its worth it to have a good launch and a nice place to tie up if your solo! If your an early riser before 7 its free which is nice too.

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by russ

Jigging or trolling? We’re at CL too.

We were trolling little red Lund two old farts on board!!!!




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[58thecat]

Originally Posted by Frank_NK28

Costs a whole $8/day to launch, park and recover at the Marina where you have a top notch facility and paved right to the launch. Don't have to trailer on potholed gravel roads and deal with sinkhole sand launches and docks with metal pipes that gouge the sides of your boat etc.

True just giving alternatives as many like to launch were they camp.
Bar none the marina is the cats meow.


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[58thecat]

Had a good fish this morning managed 21, lost a few too and had a lot of laughs.
Three over, a bunch in the 25-28 and only a few smalls.
So far my last two outings have produced good quality lakers hope this trend keeps on and the large lakers start breaking the 40 inch mark.




View from my office.


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[58thecat]

Yesterday was slow but we had fun still but man those horse fly’s are brutal this year!

Fish on!!!

See the horse fly by the net? Yup need a net to land those buggers!


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[Weavster]

Your crushing it out there and Yes those horseflys are bad when the motor is running got bit once last week. Ah the price to pay for a few lakers I guess!

[fish99]

we were marking fish and bait balls in 40 feet of water , caught a few lakers and then the wife catches a pike jiging on the bottom . never caught pike that deep with cold water temps. we moved out to 50 feet and i caught a pike jigging on the bottom . so we moved out to 60 and i caught another pike jiging on the bottom at 60 feet . i never would of thought that pike would be that deep . ever.
we were catching lakers as well after the pike action.

[mlee]

Originally Posted by fish99

we were marking fish and bait balls in 40 feet of water , caught a few lakers and then the wife catches a pike jiging on the bottom . never caught pike that deep with cold water temps. we moved out to 50 feet and i caught a pike jigging on the bottom . so we moved out to 60 and i caught another pike jiging on the bottom at 60 feet . i never would of thought that pike would be that deep . ever.
we were catching lakers as well after the pike action.

Bigger pike? They will run deep....up to 100 feet. I've caught several in 40-60 feet over the years while targeting other species.

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by fish99

we were marking fish and bait balls in 40 feet of water , caught a few lakers and then the wife catches a pike jiging on the bottom . never caught pike that deep with cold water temps. we moved out to 50 feet and i caught a pike jigging on the bottom . so we moved out to 60 and i caught another pike jiging on the bottom at 60 feet . i never would of thought that pike would be that deep . ever.
we were catching lakers as well after the pike action.

That is crazy, deepest I ever put pulled a pike up was in 30fow and yup had that holy heck look too.

[fish99]

I guess the old saying find the food and you find the fish.
pike at 100 feet that's amazing .
i knew when the water good warm big pike went deep but the water is still cool.

[Weavster]

Yep its not uncommon for them to chase bait down into 50ft plus. Years ago a buddy told me they had been seeing them on the underwater camera while laker fishing and I didn't believe him... Well the next weekend another friend caught a 39" pike in 70fow and had video of a few others swim by. Since then I've seen the ocasional by catch in deeper water.

[Frank_NK28]

Originally Posted by mlee

Bigger pike? They will run deep....up to 100 feet. I've caught several in 40-60 feet over the years while targeting other species.

Got one on the downriggers one time. Counter on the rigger was showing 72 feet. Have caught lots at 36-44 fow while downrigging deep summer walleye.

[Frank_NK28]

Originally Posted by 58thecat

Had a good fish this morning managed 21, lost a few too and had a lot of laughs.
Three over, a bunch in the 25-28 and only a few smalls.
So far my last two outings have produced good quality lakers hope this trend keeps on and the large lakers start breaking the 40 inch mark.




View from my office.


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You pulling dipseys to get down? That rod is loaded up pretty good! Lol

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by Frank_NK28

You pulling dipseys to get down? That rod is loaded up pretty good! Lol

no2 deep six....she is loaded for the strike

[russ]

Originally Posted by 58thecat

We were trolling little red Lund two old farts on board!!!!




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Honestly, I have never trolled or down rigged on CL, we jigged. Numbers? NVM, no one would believe me. Blue & black jigging spoons, spent a bit with Cold Lake specials but the fall soooo slow and I'm impatient. Fishing was great overall.

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by russ

Honestly, I have never trolled or down rigged on CL, we jigged. Numbers? NVM, no one would believe me. Blue & black jigging spoons, spent a bit with Cold Lake specials but the fall soooo slow and I'm impatient. Fishing was great overall.

I sit all winter jigging so enjoy mostly trolling during the summer but if we get numbers seriously stacked and make passes picking off good size lakers etc will hunker over them and jig.
When exploring new areas looking for structure I will troll, enjoy a sammich and take in the day.

Nothing like being outdoors.

[wwbirds]

Dropping barometer may have put bite off as thunderstirms were forecast for 3 pm and arrived on time. From 8 30 am to 2 pm we only landed 10 fish with 2 of the biggest stretched to 74.5 cm. Lightning in distance from 2 -3 pm and storm was moving north away from us so stayed out. Got a bit wet from 3 until 4 but bite was on at 4 10 pm. I caught 8 in an hour which was fun but no keepers (wouldnt keep anyway) from 68cm and a good run of 71, 72 and 73 at the end. Great day on the water

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by wwbirds

Dropping barometer may have put bite off as thunderstirms were forecast for 3 pm and arrived on time. From 8 30 am to 2 pm we only landed 10 fish with 2 of the biggest stretched to 74.5 cm. Lightning in distance from 2 -3 pm and storm was moving north away from us so stayed out. Got a bit wet from 3 until 4 but bite was on at 4 10 pm. I caught 8 in an hour which was fun but no keepers (wouldnt keep anyway) from 68cm and a good run of 71, 72 and 73 at the end. Great day on the water

Sounds great!
We got blown off today 3-4 foot waves etc but managed to catch.
New 5 of diamonds apex trolling lure got a workout and put to the test.
Brown trout pattern did ok too




Good times!


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[fish99]

starting to wonder if there is any lure those lakers won't bite

[wwbirds]

Do you remember those muskie jointed deer hair muskrat lures? Caught a large laker on one of those in the nwt when i was trying to find a lure in my tackle box that a laker wouldnt take

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by fish99

starting to wonder if there is any lure those lakers won't bite

Ohhh they do get finicky at times.
Then you gotta work to dial them in with small adjustments which for many can get frustrating.
Had many boats simply pull up and say alright what the heck are you using?



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