Winter lake trout structure

[Steve Foss]

Hey all:

We've got the annual stickied thread about laker gear and tactics, so let's talk about locations. In most cases, good laker water is pretty much the same from lake to lake, so let's share our favorites.

I look for a few key types of structure. In no particular order, they are sheer walls/dropoffs, main lake/island points, saddles, and deepwater humps.

Typically, I'm fishing these structures in 35-60 FOW. I really like saddles, where deep water on each side comes up shallower as you go between a couple islands/reefs or an island/reef and shore.

Points, just like for walleyes, can be laker magnets as well. Experiment with depths, drilling 20-30 holes on the point itself as it tapers from shallow to deep, and off both sides of the point.

Sheer dropoffs against shoreline rock walls allow lakers to pin prey fish against the walls and feed.

Deepwater humps I fish the same way I do points, drilling holes on and around them and going from hole to hole.

There are other good types of structure/locations as well, so chime in on what types of locations you like to fish, including bottom materials and depths, etc.

Thanks folks!

[Northlander]

Early and late in the season, depending on the lake of course, I like to find them soft sticky bottomed bays and flats. Seems like certain times on certain lakes the fish go to a bug diet and thats when they are in them "sticky" areas. Not only lakers but most fish. If you can time this bite you can have some awesome fishing.

If I were to pick 1 spot on a map it would be a classic bottle neck area wether its between 2 island, a travel way into a back bay or even a troft between 2 mid lake reefs. Something with deep water close by.

[Murdock268]

Of course I agree with you guys about locations. I like the drop offs where they can pin the baitfish. I wanted to add that I like finding locations with active fish. It seems I mark many more lookers than biters. If I'm in a proven spot with lookers, I will move on to another. If I catch a fish in a spot my chances are much greater for catching another. One more week!!!

[walleye365]

agree with the spots mentioned. i like humps with something on them i fish a hump that starts with gravel and turns to rocks and boulders it drops off fast after the rocks and its a good spot all year. the other is under water point with not much there other then sand but they are there all the time. both spots are 27 to 50 fow.

[leech~~]

Steve, thanks for starting this up as I have been thinking a lot about this lately. I use to like deep water humps and saddles but after pulling the one in my avatar out of about 25-28feet off a drop into deep water, that maybe where I'll be trying to start off next weekend.

[Steve Foss]

Leech, your fish also came at the narrow entrance to a bay, so there's that additional factor to consider beyond being merely a shoreline break. Hopefully that laker put on the feedbag since last year and has a girth worthy of its 36.5 inch length. And you catch it again, of course!

[leech~~]

Leech, your fish also came at the narrow entrance to a bay, so there's that additional factor to consider beyond being merely a shoreline break. Hopefully that laker put on the feedbag since last year and has a girth worthy of its 36.5 inch length. And you catch it again, of course!

SSHHHH! Yep hopefully it's bigger this year. But, you know who will be sitting there on opener and it wouldn't be me! Even if I woke up and got out there earler, I think you would find me tied up in the woods and "wonder" who did it!

[Surface Tension]

You guys mentioned most of them that I can think of.

I hope to be sitting on one of the spots mentioned next weekend.

Having smelt or ciscoes around sometimes helps a spot.

Watching them on the flasher is an EWS (Early Warning System), when they skedaddle its time to set down the sandwich.

[Wanderer]

Even if I woke up and got out there earler, I think you would find me tied up in the woods and "wonder" who did it!

If it's any consolation, you could keep your bibs on instead of having them pulled down around your ankles.

Last year it got kinda packed in there and some complaints about sonar interference were heard and such and well, lets face it, it's a small spot. Heck, I found the dang thing and really only fished it one day last year when just Matt and I went up. For the most part I was good with letting others have at it. But yes, I plan to be there on opening weekend, and no, I don't own it so you can make the call on where you go.

I just know I can think of about a half dozen pretty good spots within eyesight of that particular one plus I plan to spend at least one full day's worth of fishing trying entirely "new to me" spots. Just putting the pieces of the puzzle together (info in this forum + experience) and finding another place to fish is pretty rewarding in itself. Doing that last year landed me my biggest laker to date.

Leech, if you want to talk about a few areas to prep for the weekend, I'm down with that. You have my email.

[BRULEDRIFTER]

Steve, you must not like your guiding job very much. Giving out all this info on here will eventually put you out of business!

I've caught lakers in just about every kind of structure imaginable. I think I've got them as shallow as 15ft and as deep as 100.

If I were to pinpoint my favorite structure, I guess it would be some sort of break that dumps into deep water. Probably the most consistent spot and a good starting point. Turn the area into swiss cheese and start hole hopping until you find a taker.

God, I can't wait to get after some lakers!!!!!

Good luck everyone!

[leech~~]

Wanderer, as you know just having fun. I'm grateful to have gotten to try that spot out and would never horn in on another guys spot if they weren't there. I to like to find that new "honey hole" spot of my own and plan on drilling holes all over. But, to me Laker fishing is kind of like hunting that Trophy 10 point. Do you wait him out in one spot or keep moving in hopes of heading him off? It can be a gamble.

[KingOscar]

In my experience Lake Trout seem to move around a lot so I don't spend time drilling and moving constantly. They also seem to come in from all depths. Sometimes they just appear as a dark smudge on the bottom, other times they come ripping down from 30' above ( I use a Lowrance ice machine with the scrolling graph). I like to fish troughs caused by steep breaks on both sides. Keeping the jig moving is key and most fish come in after I do a big rip way over my head. My $.02

[reinhard1]

that is the way i fish also. i move around very seldom for trout. i set up at a place i have confidence in and wait them out. same with rainbows. structure is the key and like you said there is no magic depth this time of the year. confidence plays a big part in any form of fishing. good luck.