Looking to catch big Trout? Lakers are your fish. They live in the cold, oxygenated water of Maines deep lakes. Not as good eating as the other Salmonids, Lakers are the big daddy of Trout. The lake trout is prized as a game fish, mainly because of its size and power. The Lake Trout grows to around 50 inches , but is usually in the 17 to 27 inch range . Most weigh from 2 to 10 pounds, but it can weigh over 100 pounds. They are capable of growing old, even to forty years or so, rare in trout.

Through the Ice

Fishing through the ice for lakers is your chance to get a big one. They hang in the darkest depths, which otherwise are hard to get to. With a depth map and a good eye, you can drop a line right on them. No lead core or downriggers! Make sure you have plenty of line and fish the deep edges of the dropoffs. I like to fish in 60 feet or so of water. They like the cold stuff so you won't usually find them in the shallows in winter. Fish on the bottom or just off. Use baby suckers and cut the stomach open before dropping it down the hole.

Jigging

When jigging use the 1/2 oz or bigger swedish pimple in either silver or gold os rome of the flourescent patterns, and fish right down near the bottom. The more flash the better and you may want to put some silver flashers on your line. I like a big silver swedish pimple, a half ounce or so, and just raise and lower the rod a foot or so in a fairly slow pace. Tip them with 2 or 3 inch pieces of cut sucker filet, since the lakers like the smelly stuff and be patient. They can be finicky and like to nibble. Short, slow, jigging strokes with some longer pauses seems to be the accepted method of working a lure when ice fishing. Winter fish usually strike the lure when it is stopped or at rest and the bite is often extremely subtle, so be ready to set the hook. Try letting the spoon hit bottom, and bounce it around down there,sometimes this will draw attention to the lure or your cut bait. This helps attract fish, even from a distance.

Open Water

In early spring, just after "ice out," they are generally taken by trolling near the surface with spoons, streamers, or wobblers and natural bait, such as shiners or suckers. In summer, deep trolling with wire or lead-core lines and downriggers, with sewn-on bait or spoons. Streamers can also be very effective in smelt patterns and if you E- Mail me and ask I will tell you where to get some great ones in the patterns you will need here in Maine. Since lakers hang down so deep, remember to be careful when releasing them, as they come up from the deep they often get expanded air bladders. If the belly appears expanded, unhook the fish first, then gently press your thumb along the stomach near the paired belly fins and move it forward a few times to remove air from the bladder. Revive the fish in the water and then let him go. Not a leaper, they are powerful swimmers who can really put up a fight! They can live for 60 years or so, and are in conflict with the Salmon. They are eating machines and do a number on the Smelt population. This is the only fish the Mainefisherman hopes you won't catch and release. Well, within reason!