Lake Trout have a total length between 20″-36″ (51-91 cm), body height of 4″-7″ (10.2-17.8 cm), and an overall weight in the range of 4-22 lb (1.8-10 kg).
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What gear do you use for lake trout?
Gear. Any rod will usually work for lake trout; a lightweight spin rod with a 6-pound monofilament line will often do well. A Medium weight rod may be better for larger lake trout. For a trophy-size lake trout, you need a larger rod.
What reel should I use for ice fishing?
The spinning reel is the most common reel that anglers use when ice fishing. A typical ice fishing spinning reel will be an ultralight size with a model smaller than or equal to 2500 (25). These smaller sizes are necessary to properly balance with the smaller ice fishing rods which are between 16 – 24 inches long.
Do you need a steel leader for lake trout?
You will catch lake trout with a steel leader but you will also loose your chance at catching a lot more by them seeing the leader and turning away . Leader are fine you an always get a floro leader if your concerned about the fish being spooked.
What is the best depth to ice fish lake trout?
Lake Trout are typically found in water that is 60 to 200 feet or deeper. Typically, you will want to fish your lure in depths between 80 and 160 feet. Two of the best tactics to catch lakers are pounding the bottom and playing keep away.
How do you catch lake trout through ice?
How old is a 36 inch lake trout?
Cory Goldsworthy, Lake Superior area fisheries supervisor for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, said it’s hard to estimate the age of Gotchie’s big lake trout without taking a fin out of it. Trout over 36-inches long caught and aged by researchers in the past have varied from 15 to 30 years old, he said.
Is there a difference between ice fishing reels and regular reels?
Ice Fishing Reels are typically constructed with less ball bearings than a traditional spinning reel. This is because they are not used for casting and retrieving. Additionally, high quality ice fishing reels are made with components and lubricants that will not freeze, even in frigid temperatures.
Are inline ice fishing reels worth it?
Spinning reels are better for everything but fishing for shallow water panfish with light tackle. It is still pretty hard to surpass the functionality of a spinning reel. Inline reels certainly deliver better presentations with small baits but their powers stop there.
Can you use an ice fishing reel on a normal rod?
The simple answer is yes. There is no reason a regular sized fishing pole won’t work for ice fishing. You would not be the first person to catch fish while ice fishing with a regular pole. However, a rod and reel designed for ice fishing has important advantages that will definitely up your game.
What pound leader is lake trout?
What is this? A 12-15lb fluorocarbon leader is your best pick for ice fishing lake trout. Fluorocarbon is very thin, strong, and pretty much invisible underwater, making it more than suitable for targeting lakers.
How long should leader line be for lake trout?
But how long should your leader be when trout fishing? If you’re using a spinning reel for trout, you don’t need a leader but can benefit from using one anywhere from 1 to 4 feet long. If you’re fly fishing, leaders ranging from 7.5 to 12 feet are recommended. In general, the clearer the water, the longer the leader.
What color fishing line is best for lake trout?
Best line when still fishing for trout This is where monofilament shines. Fluorocarbon might be invisible but it’s denser than mono and doesn’t keep the bait suspended. In order to decrease line visibility, use 4 pound test clear mono for average water clarity and tint. Use green or blueish mono for stained water.
What is the best time of day to ice fish for lake trout?
The best time of day to ice fishing for lake trout is late afternoon right around sunset. Early morning can be really good too but late afternoon seems to be the golden time in the winter for hungry lake trout.
How deep are lake trout in January?
The nice part about fishing with the absence of a thermocline in the cold months is that many fish are not as deep as during the summer months. Anglers can capitalize on catching trout from 10 to 35 feet deep in ice-cold waters during December, January, and February.
What temperature do lake trout like?
Lake trout prefer and require cold water, generally between 40 and 50°F, but they can spend time outside of this range when needed. That said, it’s unlikely to find lake trout in temperatures greater than 59°F.
What depth do lake trout like?
Lake trout prefer to be in approximately 53 degree water. Their depth and eating habits will change with the weather. In the early spring and fall lake trout swim at a depth of between 35 and 45 feet (10.7 to 13.7m). Later in the spring and in the summer they move deeper to 50 to 65 feet (15.4 to 19.8m).
What is considered a trophy lake trout?
For Brown Trout, the stock length is 8″, quality is 12″, preferred is 16″, memorable is 20″, and trophy is 24″. A trophy Brook Trout is 23 inches. Based on these categories, there are very few Brown Trout and almost no Brook Trout that are “trophies” in Wisconsin’s streams.
What is considered a big lake trout?
While the average lake trout weighs somewhere between 5 and 15lb and measures a length of about 20 to 30 inches, huge specimens can reach a maximum size of 60 to 80lb and 40-50 inches, and the giant lakers of Northern Canada can be even larger than that.
How do you use inline reel ice fishing?
How do you attach a reel to an ice rod?
What are inline ice fishing reels?
Most inline ice reels feature adjustable disc drags for ultimate control of line tension to land large fish on low-test ice lines. Like fly reels, the 1:1 ratio of standard inline reels means the spool rotates once for every turn of the handle. This allows inline reels to be great options when fishing in shallow water.
Why are ice fishing rods so small?
Ice fishing rods are so small because they are designed specifically for use in ice. For ice fishing, you need to be close to the hole, so a standard open-water pole will be too long. You also need a more sensitive rod for ice fishing, so the small size of ice fishing rods helps with feeling the fish.
Can you use ice fishing rod in the summer?
Try chillin’ when the temperatures sizzle during the heat of summer. Ice fishing tactics are dynamite for bluegills and crappies, even during the peak warm months. You guessed it—the same tackle that is used in December, January and February is often a great choice for July and August.
How long are ice fishing rods?
A standard length is approximately 28-inches with a fast-action tip. A medium-action rod is tailor made for walleye, small trout and pike, and will work well as your second combo. Look for a rod of around 28 to 30-inches in length, with a solid backbone throughout the lower 2/3rds.