Tips for a first timer for lakers on Burntside please?

[somann]

Hi, my brother and our spouses are going to be camping in the Ely are and I would like to check out Burntside Lake for the first time the last weekend of June. We would like to try for some lake trout, but not experienced with fishing lakers in general, or Burntside Lake itself. I was hoping someone here could give us some general direction as to what type of lures/bait might work and how they are normally fished on this lake. From what I read, lake temps are important in locating them. What might be a best bet in making a good attempt to hooking into one? I would appreciate any tips or recommendations on locations and depths to try. Thanks in advance.

[Wanderer]

Check the post called "Lake trout question" on page 6. Page numbers are on the bottom right of the index. Bside laker stuff starts on page 5 though.

Anything stfcatfish posts is useful.

I know what you want, but don't know enough to get you there!

Welcome, and hope to hear about your trip. Fish or no.

[Great Outdoors]

somann,

Stop by my shop (next to Mike's Liquor) before 10 am any morning and I can tell you a little bit about the lake. You may be able to get some very nice Walleye at that time. (Lakers, also)

[Steve Foss]

Hey somann, welcome to FM (and to the jewel that is Burntside). Great to have you both places.

Surface temps will be too warm for you to find lakers up high. Unless you have downriggers, you could reach them by trolling deep diving cranks (20 feet down or so), or you could vertical jig for them using things like sonars and heavy jigging spoons.

In either case, good places to troll/jig include the east side of Dollar Island, the areas between Miller and Lockhart Islands, the whole south shore of Van Vac along the same shore as the public landing there, and all the structure associated with shore (points and dropoffs) on both sides in the bay as it begins to narrow toward Crab Creek.

Obviously, you'll need a good map to locate these spots. I always recommend the Sportsmans Connection book of maps for St. Louis County, available all over the place and pretty much anywhere in Ely you buy bait. They've got nice maps of Burnside in there.

I'd target water of 50 to 70 feet, in general. I'd also listen to Great Outdoors if you swing into his place. He's pretty smart about lakers, for a Finn.

Good luck!

[Great Outdoors]

Hey, hey, hey-watch the Finn comments

[somann]

Sounds like good information for a first time try I do have a sonar/gps which does have some lake contour data, but I agree, a good old paper map will be more detailed and very helpful. I am in the area June 28-July 1. I have never been on Burntside lake, but looks like heaven. I do not have downrigging equipment so I am going to have to stick to the things that won't require it. I appreciate all the info.

[Steve Foss]

somann, we only ask one thing in return — that you post us a fishing report when you get back, including what spots you tried, what techniques and which lures.

[Great Outdoors]

somann,

You don't need down riggers or anything fancy to fish trout. Set up as though fishing for walleye, plain hook (#4) about 3 1/2 to 4 inch minnow, 1/4 oz sinker, troll slowly in about 50-65 feet of water. (reefs edge, preferably) People that use this method do very well.

Burntside, great lake, many nice fish, all species!