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Lake Trout, any general suggestions


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I will be staying on the gunflint in about a month and would like to try for a Laker. There are Lakers in the lake we're visiting.

Just need some tackle suggestions, so I know what to bring/buy. Any general pointers?

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How are you going to be fishing? Shore? boat?

Will you have access to downriggers? Planer Boards?

Whats the lake name your visiting? (some of us from up that way can give good suggestions, since someone has most likely already fished it.

If its a private lake, how deep does it get? Any idea on the surface temps?

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I will be on Loon Lake, fishing from a boat. No planers or downriggers, but I could pick up some dipseys if they are a good idea

Thanks

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators

If you plan on trolling you'll need to get down one way or another. Dipsys will be effective to a point. How deep is the question. I'd have my sonar with and be looking for a thermocline or better yet, suspended lakers. Loon is big and deep, one of the deepest lakes in MN. I'd prefer to use dipsys over suspended fish using a line counter reel so that when you do get something going you can duplicate it. Another option is chain beaded sinkers. An assortment from 2-5oz should be enough. Run a 6' leader between that and a spoon that doesn't need a lot of speed to run correct, usually thin and light spoons like the Flutter or Finn spoons. I'd use that rig for lakers on the bottom which I think will be your best bet to target.

Next option is vertical jigging or a very slow drift. Look at a lake map. Find steep breaks that plummet into deep water then taper into a more gradual slope. The South shore has such a place. 2-3 oz bucktails tipped with cut ciscoe is the ticket. Spool your reel with 10 lb power pro or superbraid to reduce line stretch.

Anchoring is out of the question in such deep water so you'll have to keep the boat still, use your electric motor or outboard to hold onto the spots is theres a wind. Here I'd prefer a 6' high modulus graphite rod in a med/heavy action. Just don't let your boat drift over your line or your hook set will snap the rod.

So bring the sounder and be prepared to fish deep. I'd start looking at 50-70' to start with.

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Great, thanks for the info. Any and all suggestions are appreciated.

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I would say start with frank on this one and do not be afraid of fishing deep as well as shallow. the bait will tell you allot just keep moving till you get hooked up with a fish an duplicate it, This will help put more fish in the boat smile.gif. good Luck smirk.gif.

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  • 3 weeks later...

Great, I've collected most of the above mentioned gear. Some big bucktails, a few spoons that can be trolled at slow speeds, an assortment of tolling sinkers, some 15# no stretch line for one real.

One question about the trolling rig? What do I need for line on that? Will the same heavy/medium graphite rod with 15# power pro work with that? Or do I need something heavier.

I appreciate all of your help. Thanks

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators

That should work fine for a trolling rig. Good Luck.

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