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Anyone have any insight on catching lake trout through the ice? I'd like to try it out this year...something different. Big Trout Lake would be the closest lake for me to try. Anyone have any pointers for me?

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vexlar is a must. But the ice is a little shaky out there all winter. Use two lines,let one lay on the bottom with a jig head and the other one you jig all the way up the water colume until you mark some fish. I'm still trying to figure them out myself. Hope this helps

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I asked about big trout last year and was also told the ice is very sketchy throughout the season. I'm guessing it's spring fed? I was told the first 100 yards from the launch is pretty bad.

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Uasually right in front of the launch is ok. Some years there is a plowed road but the lake has a tendency to get slushy. I personally take a wheeler as I have never seen more than about 15" of ice out there

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There are lots of different ways to catch them. I like to drop a tip up with a large sucker minnow right off the bottom, then with the other line I usually jig a white flippin tube at all depths. You must have a flasher. GPS with lakemaster chip is also a big help in finding the right breaks. The ice is ususally fine when the season finally opens. I have always been able to get out with my wheeler. Good luck.

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Thanks for the tips,

Do any of you use a med/heavy to heavy rod that is longer in length? What kind of line and poundage (heavier than 10 pound ice line)? I'll probably get a set up for it soon.

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You can check out the BWCA/Duluth/Ely/Range forum and there is some great advice as that's where most of the lakes holding lakers are. I generally look for water in the 45-65' range. I like to use a tip-up hanging a dead smelt/cisco 5-10' off of the bottom and then jig a spoon or an airplane jig on heavey walleye gear throughout the water column watching the vex for fish cruising through. If you get a taker,,, hold on! Hope that helps a bit.

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