Lake trout tactics

[Slappy]

I am considering a foray up to NH tomorrow. Maybe Newfound lake. I am interested in others Laker techniques/tactics. I like to be mobile and have a fishfinder on my sled. What constitutes a good day of laker fishing?

[striperboyz]

Almost all the lakes with lakers up here are 2 line max when ice fishing, including Newfound Lake so keep that in mind when coming up. The fish can be anywhere right now, try depths from 10ft down to the deepest part of the lake. Fish points, bars, and drop offs. I have to say laker fishing is really frustrating in NH because of the two line rule, so it's usaully one jig rod and one tip-up, which doesn't give you many options, but if you stay moble maybe you can get into them. You also have a good chance at salmon on NF lake, but don't dare keep it, or even pull it out of the hole, technically you have to leave them in the hole and cut the line.


You'll have to let me know how you do, good luck.

Josh

[Slappy]

I did make it to Newfound. Typical laker fishing--a slow bite so you have to take advantage of every hit. I fished from 7 to noon and got 5 lakers all the NH standard of about 2 lbs (don't worry about the limit, I let them go...). I stuck to my normal tactics--split shotting shiners on one rod and jigging pimples on the other. It was bait 2 jigs 3 in 45-60 feet of water.
I think that the 2 line limit helps me catch more fish! I pay more attention to my bait line because there is only one. Also, lakers are often not that aggressive and need to be stimulated to bite--I use a rod instead of a tipup, so when I see the bait get active I pick it up and if the fish doesn't take I lift the bait a few times. It worked twice today!

[striperboyz]

I use a rod instead of a tipup, so when I see the bait get active I pick it up and if the fish doesn't take I lift the bait a few times. It worked twice today!

Yeah they can be really slow biting, I learned a nice trick for fishing the lakers through the ice. One make sure you got lively bait and two make sure the bait is constantly moving. I figured out a great way to target the fish sitting on the bottom. What I did was to put an egg sinker above 4ft of leader with a swivel. I then would use one of those floating jig heads, commonly used for walleyes. I would then hook a small sucker (3") in the tail and drop it to the bottom. What would happen is the floating jig head would keep pulling the sucker off the bottom, then he would try to swim back down, contantly fighting. Lakers love it.

And if the state/lake regs allow and you can find them, live smelt are unbeatable for lakers, big browns, and salmon through the ice

Josh

PS: If you want to catch some quality lakers through the ice, head west to Lake Champlain, there are some real beauties in there.

[Slappy]

I agree that smelt are the best bait. I always bring some when I can, but it was a new lake and the local shop wasn't open when I drove by. One of the lakers I caught spat up a smelt that he had recently eaten. I pinned it on my jig and a couple minutes later had the next one. I have found this to be a pretty good source of smelt! Especially with perch--they tend to spit up a lot of bait and I always use them.
Champlain is a little far for a day trip, but I would like to try an ice trip there sometime.