Ontario Lake Trout Fishing

Part of the char family, this fish is a cold-water species. It is widely distributed throughout the cold lakes of the Canadian Shield, as they prefer water from 40 to 52 degree F. A fly-in fishing trip is the ideal choice if you want to catch lake trout. This type of fish is found in the remote wilderness - cold northern lakes accessible only by fly-in plane. Wilderness Air can put your down on your own exclusive lake, where you'll stay in one of our deluxe, clean and well-maintained outpost cabins. For excellent lake trout fishing, we suggest Confusion Lake.

General Lake Trout Facts

This species is 15-20 inches long, weighing an average of 10 pounds. The body is typically trout-like and elongated. Lake trout are light green or grey, dark green, brown or almost black with lighter colored spots.

The world record for this type of fish was a 72 pound lake trout caught in 1995 in Canada's Northwest Territories (Great Bear Lake), and the Ontario record was 63.12 pounds.

In the summer they go deep, often to depths of 50 to 60 feet, but in spring and fall you can often catch them in shallower waters at depths of 20 feet or less.

Lake Trout through the Fishing Season

In Ontario, the fishing season for the lake trout runs from January 1 to September 30.

• Spring Fishing - Just after ice-out, lake trout are found near shallows and they're usually between 10 feet and the surface. By the time mid-spring comes around the lake trout go deeper, around 35 to 45 feet. Use medium-weight spinning gear to bottom-fish with dead ciscoes or suspend live minnows beneath a float. Troll with spinners tipped with minnows. Cast or troll with white bucktail jigs, crankbaits, or flashy spoons.
• Summer Fishing - The warmer weather sends the lake trout much deeper, between 45 to 60 feet. Troll with bottom bouncers or with 3 oz spoons using crankbaits or spoons. Try vertical jigging with spoons or jigs tipped with minnows or cut bait.
• Fall Fishing - Try near reefs or rocky shorelines as spawning brings the lake trout back to the shallower water as the lake cools.

Tips for Catching Lake Trout

• When trolling vary your speed between slow and medium, as it will capture the trout's attention.
• When releasing the line get a rhythm going, don't just let the line out until it hits the bottom!
• Natural colours such as green, black and blue are good on bright clear days.

Visit our 10 fly-in fishing outpost cabins and read more about the amazing walleye, northern pike, muskie, bass and trout fishing.

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