text by Brad Fenson photo by Glen Hales The Ultimate Fish (part 6) LAKE TROUT: LAKE ATHABASCA, ALBERTA/SASK. LOCAL BUZZ The best time for fishing is definitely September, when the big fish concentrate in prime spawning areas, while June, July and August provide consistent fishing and long summer days. GETTING THERE Regularly scheduled charters from Saskatoon, Edmonton, Calgary and Fort McMurray are available through local outfitters. Do-it-yourself anglers can look into charter flights from Fort McMurray, Alberta. LEARN MORE Saskatchewan Tourism, 1-877-237-2273; sasktourism.com Saskatchewan Environment Fisheries Branch, (306) 787-2314; www.gov.sk.ca The promise Home to the largest lake trout ever recorded—a 102-pound monster hauled in by commercial fishermen—and, more recently, a 54-inch laker estimated to weigh 85 pounds, Lake Athabasca can’t be missed. Top tackle & tactics Medium-heavy action, 6 1/2-foot rods and level-wind reels are key to landing Athabasca’s big ones (the Saskatchewan side of the lake promises the most numbers of fish). Spool on 15- to 20-pound monofilament to handle fish in all size classes. Fishing a Luhr Jensen Kwikfish in chartreuse and/or silver is reportedly the best bet for catching Lake Athabasca lunkers. The preferred spoon is a Husky Devil in white and red or yellow and red, although new colours are always being tested. LAKE NIPIGON, ONTARIO The promise Easily accessible, with lakers that push the 60-pound mark, Lake Nipigon is one of the most heavily fished top lake trout waters, yet it still holds up among the best. LOCAL BUZZ The area around Shakespeare Island is a local favourite. In fact, areas around most of the lake’s islands produce best. For gear and insider tips, visit the Hook Shop in Beardmore. GETTING THERE Take the Trans-Canada Highway east from Thunder Bay for 118 kilometres. Continue north on Highway 11 to Beardmore, then take Highway 580 west to the lake. LEARN MORE North of Superior Tourism, 1-800-265-3951; www.nosta.on.ca Ministry of Natural Resources, (807) 887-5000; www.mnr.gov.on.ca Top tackle & tactics July and August is considered prime time on Nipigon, with anglers using downriggers to get to the fish. Long, heavy-action rods and 20-pound-test line are recommended to ease them up from the depths. For lures, local favourites include Lucky Strike Canoe, Diamond King and Provisor spoons. Flatlining is a popular technique in June, when locals opt for Rebel Spoonbills or Rapala Husky Jerks. GOD'S LAKE, MANITOBA The promise Every year, dozens of lakers taken at God’s Lake are recognized through the Manitoba Master Anglers Awards, the province’s trophy fish registry. The one to beat: a 50-inch trout caught in 1998. LOCAL BUZZ There is very productive habitat in this lake that could easily produce a new world record. GETTING THERE Local outfitters charter bush plane flights into the area from Winnipeg or Thompson, Manitoba, on Wednesdays and Saturdays. LEARN MORE Travel Manitoba, 1-800-665-0040; www.travelmanitoba.com Manitoba Natural Resources Fisheries Branch, 1-800-214-6497; www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/fish Top tackle & tactics The best fishing is in June and early July when the trout are well dispersed in the water column. Mid-September is also a prime time when big fish stage in the shallows preparing to spawn. A rod with lots of backbone is recommended, as is 20-pound-test line. Trolling large Husky Devils, Len Thompson Five of Diamonds, Lucky Strike Canoes, Gibbs Ruby-Eyed Wigglers and Rapala crankbaits is preferred. Large 1 1/2-ounce jig heads tipped with Berkley Power Grubs are favoured for jigging. BONUS HOT SPOTS FOR LAKE TROUT Point Lake, N.W.T. Kasba Lake, N.W.T./Nunavut Reed Lake, Manitoba Nueltin Lake, Nunavut/Manitoba Caniapiscau Reservoir, Quebec Lake Superior, Ontario Athapapuskow Lake, Manitoba Cree Lake, Saskatchewan Wollaston Lake, Saskatchewan Minnewanka Lake, Alberta BROOK TROUT: Part 1 | Part 2 CHINOOK SALMON: Part 1 | Part 2 LAKE TROUT: Part 1 | Part 2 PIKE: Part 1 | Part 2 SMALLMOUTH BASS: Part 1 | Part 2 WALLEYE: Part 1 | Part 2 MORE HOT SPOTS