Tips and Tactics For A Successful Day Of Ice Fishing For Lake Trout

By Lissa Nicole Walton – HuntingOfficer.com

When ice fishing for lake trout, focus on locating deep structures like drop-offs, points, and rocky humps, using sonar to identify baitfish concentrations, employ a slow, methodical jigging technique with larger lures like spoons or tube jigs, and be prepared for strong fights due to their powerful nature; always use a heavy-duty rod and line to handle the large fish effectively. 

Key points to remember:

• Find the right spots:
  • Look for steep drop-offs, underwater points, rocky humps, and sharp breaks along shorelines. 
  • Use a lake map or sonar to identify deep water areas with potential baitfish schools. 
  • Consider the surrounding terrain, as rocky shorelines often indicate similar underwater features. 
• Gear selection:
  • Rods: A sturdy ice fishing rod with a good backbone to handle strong fish. 
  • Line: Heavy-duty monofilament or fluorocarbon line with a higher test to manage large lake trout. 
  • Lures:
    • Large spoons (like a Williams wobble spoon) 
    • Tube jigs 
    • Big minnow-style baits 
    • Consider using lures with added scent attractants 
• Fishing techniques:
  • Jigging: Use a slow, methodical jigging motion, lifting the lure a few inches and letting it fall back down. 
  • Trolling: Slowly troll your lure along the bottom contours, occasionally pausing and jigging. 
  • Depth control: Adjust your lure depth to match where the lake trout are located using sonar. 
• Important considerations:
  • Baitfish imitation: Choose lures that resemble the primary forage species in the lake, like smelt or ciscoes. 
  • Hook size: Select a large hook size that can securely hold a big fish. 
  • Line management: Keep your line slack when waiting for a bite, but be ready to set the hook firmly when you feel a strike. 
  • Patience: Lake trout can be finicky, so be patient and stay in productive areas. 

*Blog Post Created With The Help Of AI