OC Online - Hot Spots 2006

text by Tom Adamchick, Mark Anderson, Ken Bailey
Patrick Campeau, Brad Fenson, George Gruenefeld
Jake MacDonald, Paul Marriner, Jim McLennan
Wayne Phillips, Gord Pyzer

Simply the Best
(Lake Trout)

LAKE TROUT
Fish Lake, Yukon Vertical jigging tight to bottom is the ticket all year long on this lake just west of Whitehorse. Target fish along the east shore with your sonar, set anchor and go to work. More info: Sports North, (867) 667-7492. –B.F.

Lake Laberge, Yukon In spring and early summer, this lake holds some whoppers for the patient trolling enthusiast. Put on your favourite spoon and cover lots of water. More info: Sports North, (867) 667-7492. –B.F.

Little Atlin Lake, Yukon Focus on the edges of the main lake’s deep basin. Troll spoons near the surface in early spring, going deeper as the summer progresses. More info: Sports North, (867) 667-7492. –B.F.

Teslin Lake, Yukon In early spring, troll your favourite spoon or crankbait along the mud line that forms where the Nisutlin River enters the lake. In midsummer, fish the structure in the main-lake basin. More info: Sports North (867) 667-7492. –B.F.

Lake trout hot spot: Kasba Lake, N.W.T. (Gord Pyzer)

Great Slave Lake, N.W.T. Trolling the island- and rock-strewn east arm of the lake, from ice-out through the summer, consistently produces huge lakers. Big spoons, including the locally designed Wolverine Phantom, are favoured. More info: Bluefish Services, (867) 873-4818. –B.F.

Kasba Lake, N.W.T. In late August, troll a silver Williams Whitefish tipped with a white Exude Tube in 90 feet of water around the famous “Dome,” and hold on. More info: Kasba Lake Lodge, 1-800-663-8641. –G.P.

Point Lake, N.W.T. Fishing rock points, drop-offs and flowing water will undoubtedly produce a trophy-sized trout almost any time during the short open-water season. Use the biggest spoons and crankbaits possible. More info: Peterson’s Point Lake Lodge, (867) 920-4654. –B.F.

Stark River, N.W.T. Wade and cast spoons or large streamer flies where the river meets Great Slave Lake. Tip your offering with a stinger to increase hook-ups. Late August to early September is best. More info: Frontier Fishing Lodge, 1-877-465-6843. –K.B.

Kazan River, Nunavut In midsummer, cast a Five of Diamonds spoon or silver-coloured crankbait into deep pools below strong rapids. Be sure to check for grizzlies before going ashore. More info: Ferguson Lake Lodge, (867) 645-2414. –Jake M.

Andrew Lake, Alberta At ice-out, you can catch trout practically anywhere, but as the water warms, follow the fish as they migrate into deeper basins in the main lake. Use your favourite spoons. More info: Andrew Lake Lodge & Camps, (780) 464-7537. –B.F.

Cold Lake, Alberta The action has really picked up in recent years, with anglers trolling downriggers for summer lakers in the main lake using spoons, gang trolls, FlatFish and cranks. More info: Reel MacCoys Fishing Tours, 1-800-410-3709. –B.F.

Colin Lake, Alberta Troll either of the deep main-lake basins with your favourite spoon for lots of fish. The angling is consistently good all year, but those without downriggers will prefer the early season. More info: Northern Mikisew Sport Fishing, 1-888-268-7112. –B.F.

Bartlett Lake, Saskatchewan In June, slowly troll large wobbling spoons, such as the Five of Diamonds, near rocky shorelines. In July and August, go deep using diving planers and crankbaits. More info: Tourism Saskatchewan, 1-877-237-2273. –W.P.

Reindeer Lake, Saskatchewan In July, the fish stack up near the surface in the lake’s south end. Troll or cast along drop-offs with large, flashy spoons, spinners or jigs. More info: Tourism Saskatchewan, 1-877-237-2273. –W.P.

Wollaston Lake, Saskatchewan During August, troll a T-60 FlatFish down deep using a downrigger or diving planer. And use sonar to help find the schools. More info: Tourism Saskatchewan, 1-877-237-2273. –W.P.

Childs Lake, Manitoba Downrigging a big spoon along the southwest shoreline at the 100-foot drop-off will produce fish during most of the open-water season (gang trolls are also popular). More info: Childs Lake Lodge and Outfitters, (204) 546-2746. –B.F.

Lake Nipigon, Ontario From June to September, troll a spoon or slender Rapala-style minnowbait behind a downrigger or wire line in 50 to 80 feet of water around the numerous mid-lake shoals and islands. More info: North of Superior Travel Association, 1-800-265-3951. –G.P.

Lake Superior, Ontario Throughout the open-water season in the Thunder Bay area, pull black-back/silver-sided jointed Original Floater Rapalas behind downriggers set at least 100 feet deep. More info:
North of Superior Travel Association, 1-800-265-3951. –G.P.

Cabonga Reservoir, Quebec From June to mid-August, fish the deep holes and sunken islands. Deadsticking with a big, dead cisco threaded onto a treblehook generates a lot of action. More info: Réserve faunique La Vérendrye, (819) 438-2017. –P.C.

Caniapiscau Reservoir, Quebec The fishing’s incredible throughout July and August. Troll with big spoons along drop-offs or the man-made rock walls. More info: Explo-Sylva Outfitter, 1-800-267-9797. –P.C.

Lac Nilgaut, Quebec The big ones hang out at the largest island in the south end of the lake. For numbers throughout the summer, drag an EGB no deeper than 30 feet on the north and east sides. More info: Norman Dunn, (705) 835-2001. –T.A.

Lac Aumond, Quebec Hit the points of the island at the north end of the lake. Anything works until mid-June. Later, fish EGBs, Mooselooks and streamer patterns. Go down 20 to 30 feet in 50 feet of water. More info: Zec Rapides-des-Joachims, (613) 586-2635. –T.A.

Lac McGillivray, Quebec From early in the season through the summer, focus on the trough running down the middle of Tessier Baie. Lunkers hit EGBs, Mooselooks, Wablers and streamer flies at either end of the trough. More info: Linus Hearty, (819) 689-2328. –T.A.

Mistassini Lake, Quebec From mid-June until early July, cast or troll Mooselook Wobblers through the gaps in the string of islands running the length of the lake. Muddler Minnows and streamer patterns add variety. More info: Cree Nation of Mistissini, (418) 923-3253. –T.A.

Lac des Trente et Un Mille, Quebec From mid-June to August, trolling a gang troll with a dead minnow is the key, especially when you fish between the islands in the deepest water. More info: Pro Quincaillerie, (819) 463-2192. –P.C.

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