Lake trout are one of the most exciting and challenging freshwater fish to catch, known for their incredible size, stunning colors, and powerful fight. These giant lake trout can grow to over 100 lbs in some remote lakes, making them a prized catch for anglers. To successfully fish for lake trout, it’s essential to understand the right techniques and choose the best lures for lake trout fishing. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about lake trout lures, whether you’re jigging for lake trout, ice fishing for lake trout, or trolling for lake trout.
Choosing the Best Lake Trout Lure: What Lures to Use for Lake Trout
Selecting the right lake trout lures is critical for successful fishing. Understanding lake trout behavior and their preferred water temperature can significantly impact your success rate. Lake trout are temperature-sensitive and typically reside in waters between 40°F and 55°F, with the ideal temperature being 53°F. During summer months, lake trout tend to move to deeper, cooler waters, while in the winter, the surface water cools but the depths remain slightly warmer. By understanding how water temperature affects lake trout behavior, you can target the right depth and choose the perfect lake trout lure to use.
What Type of Lures Do Lake Trout Like?
Lake trout are carnivorous fish, feeding primarily on baitfish, insects, and crayfish. To attract them, it’s essential to choose lures that mimic their natural prey. The best lures for lake trout are shiny, reflective lures that resemble the flash of baitfish scales, such as hard baits, stick baits, and spinner lures. Additionally, plastic lures that imitate the movement of smaller prey, like worms or crayfish, are also highly effective in luring lake trout.
Top Lake Trout Jigging Lures for 2021
Vertical Jigging Spoons for Lake Trout
Vertical jigging spoons are a classic and highly effective choice for targeting lake trout at specific depths. These spoons are typically made of metal, such as gold or silver, which mimics the flash of fish scales as they move through the water. The reflective properties of the spoon attract lake trout, making them ideal for jigging for lake trout. Since lake trout are depth-oriented, vertical jigging spoons allow you to target specific depths and increase your chances of a successful catch.
Bucktail Lure With or Without a Trailer for Lake Trout
Another top choice for vertical jigging is the bucktail lure. These lures feature a mix of feathers and hair, creating a life-like motion as they move through the water. Adding a trailer, such as a plastic crayfish or worm, can enhance the lure’s action and increase the likelihood of attracting lake trout. Whether you choose a bucktail lure with or without a trailer, they are both effective for catching lake trout when jigging.
Best Lake Trout Trolling Lures
Rapala Trolling Lures for Lake Trout
Rapala is a top brand known for producing high-quality trolling lures for lake trout. These lures come in various styles, including deep-diving and shallow-diving lures, allowing you to target lake trout at different depths. When trolling for lake trout, choosing the right depth-diving lure is essential for success. Deep-diving Rapala lures are perfect for lake trout holding at deeper depths, while shallow-diving lures work best when targeting lake trout near the surface.
Rooster Tail & Spinner Lures for Trolling for Lake Trout
Rooster Tail spinners and other spinner lures are popular choices when trolling for lake trout. These lures feature a spinning blade that creates flash and movement in the water, imitating a struggling minnow or other prey. The flashing action of the spinner lure is incredibly effective at attracting lake trout, especially when trolled at varying speeds. If you’re targeting lake trout in open water or near the lake surface, Rooster Tail lures are an excellent choice for trolling.
Lake Trout Ice Fishing Lures
When ice fishing for lake trout, it’s essential to use lures that can attract these cold-water fish from beneath the ice. The best ice fishing lures for lake trout include vertical spoons, jigs, and bucktail lures. These lures are highly effective at attracting lake trout in colder water, especially when used with the right ice fishing techniques. Keep in mind that lake trout can be more sluggish in colder months, so using lures with subtle movements or a slow jigging action can be key to a successful catch.
Additional Tips for Catching Lake Trout
- Depth is Key: Lake trout are known to hold at specific depths, and understanding this is crucial for selecting the right lake trout lures. Use a depth finder or fish locator to identify the depths where lake trout are likely to be, and adjust your lure selection accordingly.
- Time of Day Matters: Lake trout fishing can vary by time of day. They tend to be more active during early mornings and late evenings, so fishing during these times can increase your chances of success.
- Use Live Bait: If lures aren’t attracting lake trout, you may want to try using live bait like minnows or shiners. Live bait can work wonders, especially in cold water or when fish are less active.
Conclusion: Master Lake Trout Fishing with the Best Lures and Techniques
Catching lake trout is a thrilling challenge that requires knowledge of the best lures for lake trout, as well as the right techniques for jigging, trolling, and ice fishing. Whether you’re looking for the perfect lake trout trolling lures or need guidance on ice fishing for lake trout, this guide has you covered. By understanding lake trout behavior, selecting the right lures, and honing your fishing techniques, you’ll be on your way to reeling in some of the largest and most beautiful fish in freshwater. Happy fishing!