BWCA Hard Water Lakers

[ling0069]

I've been thinking about an ice fishing trip into the BWCA this winter for Lakers. I've never fished them through the ice. Any suggestions on technique (frozen bait vs. live bait, lure choice etc.) or lakes to try? I was thinking Tuscarora. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

-Wally

[FireRanger]

Hmm, where to start. I would start with making sure you have the right equip. A heavier rod and reel combo will be a good start. I like to use spiderwire or something compatible due to the fact that you are fishing so deep and you would rather not hav line stretch when fishing them. You can actually use a regular fishing rod when fishing them. I have done this in the past and its a little weird to get used to but it works. Up north we use a type of jigging called strumming. You start with the rod tip at the surface by the whole and while standing, slowly raise your rod (with a count of 2 seconds) as high as possible and let the jig/lure flutter all the way down again and repeat. When I fish for them I seldom use live bait due to the fact that you can't get live smelt anywhere. I'll use frozen or dead smelt if I can get them. We have used shiners/suckers and just plain old large minnows before with some success but I'll take smelt over any of them. I would find structure on the lake where fish might 'move around'. Funnels, points, breaks etc. Trout do not stay still and are constantly moving around in schools. Find the depth they are in and try to present something close to their forage. Start with jigging spoons and jigs. Something silver and flashy is what I start with tipped with bait. Lake trout fishing is not fast and furious action but once you hook one, their is nothing more satisfying to me then hauling one up from the deep. Where are you located? There is a looming get together at the end of the month on a lake west of Ely with a bunch of guys here. Perhaps you could try to attend and pick up some pointers and meet a few of the gang. Let us know if you have any other questions and we'll try and help. GL and let us know.

[FireRanger]

After looking at the map of Tuscarora, I would concentrate on the west side of the lake. It has better structure and deeper pockets. Around the island that is shaped a little like and 8 and the points at the south on the shore and then up in the northwest corner. After reading the write up in the DNR, sounds like perch and sucker are the forage for them in this lake. Good news since suckers are easy to come by and perch are easily mimiced. You might get lucky and land a nice nord while your there..

[ling0069]

Thanks a ton!
I'm in Duluth. I assume you're talking about the MNO Burntside Challenge? I'd love to come for that, I'll have to see if I can take that Monday off.

[FireRanger]

No problem.

Here are a few of my fav's for fishing them. Just Google them and take a look..but shhh, don't tell anyone. 

Little Cleo's
Airplane Jigs
Rapala Ice Jigs
Asst. Larger Ice Jigs

[ling0069]

Finally got out there, and had some luck!. I found a lucky lure in a Macho Minnow tipped with a frozen creek chub. The fish we caught were full of small chub like minnows. I ended the weekend with 5, the longest one was 29 inches.