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by Patrick Campeau, Brad Fenson,
Gord Pyzer and T.J. Schwanky
photo by Brad Fenson |
Drill Here (part 4)
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TIP |
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LAKE
TROUT
Hardwater lakers are synonymous with the action-packed technique
of hardwater running-and-gunning. And when there’s the
chance of hauling in a 50-pound monster, you know the chase
is worth it.
Kathleen Lake, Yukon
Kathleen promises pristine wilderness, breathtaking mountains
and huge lake trout. In early winter and late in the season,
head to the cliffs and find 90 feet of water. The boulder-strewn
substrate holds 12- to 30-pounders, which can be caught by jigging
minnow imitations, polar bear hair jigs and Balanced Jigging
Rapalas about a foot off the bottom. Note: bait is not allowed
here. —B.F.
Great
Slave Lake, NWT
It’s possible to catch up to 50-pound lakers on
the east arm of Great Slave, with the action heating up
from late February to the end of March. Here, the rocky
substrate and island-strewn area attracts big trout. Len
Thompson Five of Diamonds, airplane jigs and smelt, and
polar bear hair jigs are all preferred, as is the locally
developed Wolverine Phantom spoon. —B.F.
Leland Lakes, Alberta
This northern gem provides awesome late-season action
for lakers pushing 30 pounds. Jig the biggest spoons you
own over mid-lake structure from the bottom to just below
the ice, as the big ones are actively searching for an
easy meal. A Wolverine Phantom, Five of Diamonds or Ruby
Eyed Wiggler are all good bets. Tip-ups and herring also
work. —B.F.
Spray Lake, Alberta
Spray Lake, just west of Calgary, is one of the province’s
premier ice-fishing destinations throughout the winter.
While the fish are typically small (around a pound) they’re
plenti-ful and more than willing to inhale a chartreuse
Fuzz-E-Grub or Cicada blade bait. Fish the edge of the
old river channel in 80 to 100 feet of water, or target
the Driftwood Day Use Area. —T.J.S.
Lac La Ronge, Saskatchewan
A snowmobile is a big asset when fishing Lac La Ronge.
Head for Hunter Bay, where anglers in the know ply the
depths throughout the season with bucktail jigs, blade
baits and jigging spoons, such as the Fergie Special.
Finding humps and saddles in 50 to 80 feet of water is
key. Expect four- to five-pound lakers, but don’t
be surprised to hook a 20-plus-pounder. —T.J.S.
Glad Lake, Manitoba
The angling here rivals most lakes, and with the opportunity
to also catch Arctic char, rainbow trout, splake and sparr,
Glad is a trout angler’s dream. The lakebed has
rocky and gravel areas on the north side, with deep underwater
ledges. Here, red and fluorescent-orange Pixie Spoons,
Mepps Syclops and hair jigs tipped with PowerBait are
deadly. First and last ice are the best times. —B.F.
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Lake Athapapuskow, Manitoba
A 63-pound lake trout stands as the local record, and
last winter a group of my friends released 600 trout in
five days. Last ice is best. Fish the edges of holes as
deep as 100 feet with a 3/8- to ½-ounce jig tipped
with a tube jig or a piece of sucker meat trimmed to imitate
frog legs (a local secret). —G.P.
Lake of the Woods, Ontario
In Whitefish Bay, eight- to 10-trout days are common,
and fisheries technicians say 50-pound lakers exist. Early
in the season, fish the structures and moderately deep
flats between the hundreds of islands. In mid-winter,
look just under the ice for suspended fish. Airplane lures,
spoons and tube jigs are local favourites. Note: barbed
hooks and “fish and/or fish parts” as bait
are prohibited. —G.P.
Lake Simcoe, Ontario
Central Ontario’s Lake Simcoe offers quality lake
trout fishing a short distance from Toronto. The action
heats up in early January, when Williams spoons, the largest
Jigging Raps, Badd Boyz and tube jigs all nab lakers.
The best trout shoals are easy to locate; they’re
dotted with villages of ice huts and accessed via ploughed
ice roads. —G.P.
Lake Superior, Ontario
Thunder Bay, Black Bay and Nipigon Bay are home to some
of the world’s largest trout. The clear water means
anglers must often fish depths of 100 feet or more. Jigging
three- to five-inch-long, silvery, smelt-like spoons and
silver/white tube jigs is popular, with many anglers placing
a quick-strike-rigged smelt near the bottom in a second
hole. Last ice is spectacular. —G.P.
Lake Temagami, Ontario
The stunning wilderness setting, along with several local
commercial ice hut operators, make Temagami a great choice
for first-time winter trouters. Fish deepwater structures
such as submerged points, saddles and sunken islands;
heavy spoons and tube jigs work well here, as do the largest
Jigging Rapalas and wobbling blade baits, such as Heddon
Sonars. Note: the season’s short, running only from
mid-February to mid-March. —G.P. |
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1.
WALLEYE | 2. PIKE | 3.
PANFISH
4. LAKE TROUT | 5.
FLORIDA'S WINTER BASS FIX |
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