SpeciesAdvanced
Ice Fishing for Lake Trout
Target deep-water lakers with specialized tactics for these cold-water predators.
8 min readUpdated December 1, 2024
In This Guide
Introduction
Lake trout inhabit the deepest, coldest lakes and require specialized tactics. They can grow to impressive sizes and provide excellent sport. Success depends on finding fish in the right depth zone and matching their sluggish winter metabolism.
Deep Water Tactics
Lakers often hold in 40-100+ feet of water during winter:
- Use heavy jigs (1/2 oz+) to reach bottom quickly
- Tube jigs in white, pearl, and natural colors are effective
- Airplane jigs and spoons also produce
- Deadsticking with live or cut bait can outproduce jigging
Pro Tips
- Count your line out to repeat productive depths
- Lakers often suspend - don't just fish the bottom
- Slow down your presentation in cold water
Finding Lakers
Lake trout relate to specific structure and depths:
- Points and humps in deep water
- Rocky substrate with good oxygen
- Suspended over basin areas
- Near smelt or cisco schools (their primary forage)
Tags
lake troutdeep watertube jigsdeadstick
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