Lake Trout Tips?

[coonhollow]

Going fishing on Higgins Feb 15th with the family off of the north shore. Want any and all tips to catch Lake Trout in that lake. Like where? How deep? Lure? Bait? Etc... We do okay on the perch, havn't managed to land the 'jumbo' ones though. But the lakers are harder for us. Help....Give us the 'how to'
Thanks
Coon

[Rich M]

I fish for lakers here on the lower chain every year and usually catch some everytime out. Use a good (Polar) tip up with a large capacity spool cause they will take a lot of line when they run. I spool up with braided dacron (easier to handle) and use an 8lb leader with a very small treble, about a size 10. For bait use blue or gray shiners hooked through the back at the dorsal fin. I set a line of tip ups starting shallow (about 4') and going out to the drop off (usually about 20'). Belive it or not 90% of my fish are caught shallow, usually around 6'. Because of that here is a secret that makes all the difference - stay off the ice! These shallow fish are spooky and if your out there walking around you won't catch any. After my tip ups are set I go back to shore and have a picnic, campfire etc. When you get a flag RUN to the tip up and set the hook immediately, unlike pike fishing where you creep up and then wait for a second run. Lakers will empty the spool in a hurry and they won't spit the bait when they hear you on the ice. Last tip - fill in the hole with snow so it doesn't look like a spot light shining down on your bait. This stuff may sound unconventional, it is, but it really works. Good luck.

[garyrodbender]

Thanks Rich M. for the tips! Both make a world of sense. Will try both.

[mountainman]

ive had good luck in the past fishing for lake trout on higgins lake. a good spot is about 300 yards from island from n shore. fish in 60 ft. with a smelt,30 ft down. watch tip up. let fish run when he stops wait a second when he goes to run ,set hook. don"t be afraid to let him run. my fish was 36" 14 lbs. i used my hand to pull fish to ice. reaching in and stuck my hand in gill. what a catch. used 6 lb test small treble hook." be safe on ice " melted snow.

[beer and nuts]

Not sure where the chain of lakes are but you won't catch lakers in Higgins fishing in 20 feet or less at this time of year. On average most lakers come from 70-115 feet of water right on the bottom. Your best best is to go into water 85-110 feet and fish with large spool tipups and lots of line with smelt, either with a slip sinker setup or have the smelt 6 inchs to 10 feet off bottom. Some use big grays and do well too. If you have to use grays I would also jig for them too, use the a good size swedish pimple or anything else thats decent size and tip it with a head, jig right on bottom. Good Luck at Winterfest, remember to buy your badge early!

[beer and nuts]

Forgot my report from Saturday.

Group of guys caught two keepers, one was a nice 5-6 pounder while the other was a 17 inch eater. We also caught and released 6-7 lakers that went only 15 inches. Lost another decent laker at the hole as well. Some came on tipups, couple on jigs. Caught just enough smelt for bait on Friday night-7 year old son had a riot. Saturday group of guys caught 100, it was slow but we had nobody even near us, didn't venture to the "zoo" at the west launch. Perch fishing was reported as slow.

[krt]

Been catching a lot of 10-ish inchers while perch fishing this year. Don't remeber this in years past. Did they plant the lake recently?
Thanks

[coonhollow]

Thanks for all the great info. Keep me posted of any other helpful tidbits to use on Higgins. Also, like to hear the reports!
Coon

[garyrodbender]

Coon Hollow, my success out there has come in the fashion Beer n Nuts previously stated.Slip sinker on bottom,with a smelt,grey,or blue.In know less than 75 fow, most in 100+ fow.If that slows,try this...small bobber,slip sinker,swivel, 6inch lead,small treble.Bait this with boiled salmon eggs,one egg on each point.Set this right on bottom,if your off bottom sinker goes down not good.Set the hook at the slightest movement :eek: Check bait everytime you think you had a hit.Have fun with that one! you may hook a whitefish or burbot...