4x4bassin Posted May 5, 2008 Report Share Posted May 5, 2008 I'm heading up to Algonquin in a couple of days to do a little fishing and I have a couple questions. Has anyone fished Merchant or Big Trout and which lake is better ? I'm leaning toward Big Trout but i'm not sure. Is Big Trout worth the extra portage ? This is my first interior trip so any help on fishing and camping spots in these lakes would be a great help. Thanks Dave Oh ya , any tips on lures and colours will help as well !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danbouck Posted May 5, 2008 Report Share Posted May 5, 2008 My buddy comes back from there tomorrow. I will ask him and get back to ya! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4x4bassin Posted May 6, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2008 Nobody fishing Algonquin this year !!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nemo Posted May 6, 2008 Report Share Posted May 6, 2008 Downrigging or flat lining? How many days will you be there? Make sure you hit Happy Isle. Spoons, gold silver,red, Cleos, Williams Dartee, Crank baits in Perch. If you can get to Happy Isle, Merchant is a no brainer. The only issue/drawback is from Merchant to Big Trout is a long winding channel that depending on water and Beaver dams may require some lining. Other than that BT is a great lake can be rough in hi winds. I will let douG fill you in when he returns....you should also do a search on those lake names here and I would also try the forums here.. http://www.algonquinadventures.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luv2drift Posted May 6, 2008 Report Share Posted May 6, 2008 stupid question .....but what is flat lining???????????? I honestly don't know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nemo Posted May 6, 2008 Report Share Posted May 6, 2008 Flat Lining ....Just trolling with your line out behind you when paddling the canoe. A method of trout fishing in the spring when trout are higher in the water column due to colder water temperatures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solopaddler Posted May 7, 2008 Report Share Posted May 7, 2008 I like Merchant for lake trout, especially the west shoreline. Fluorescent orange/gold spoons for whatever reason have worked well there. #9 deep diving Shad Raps are a good bet if they're a bit deeper. Chickaree Lake to the south of Merchant is an easy day trip with decent fishing. Personally while I have fished these lakes it's usually while enroute to La Muir which is much better IMO, although much tougher to get to as well . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nemo Posted May 7, 2008 Report Share Posted May 7, 2008 Hey Solo, what is your favourite route into La Muir from Merchant? I'll second Chickaree... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solopaddler Posted May 7, 2008 Report Share Posted May 7, 2008 Hey Solo, what is your favourite route into La Muir from Merchant?I'll second Chickaree... That would be the death march straight north of Merchant via Hemlock and Yard lakes (more bogs really). Quicker IMO than the route via Big Trout...if you're quick on the portage and can do it in a single carry. I've never done it, but the quickest way in is with squareback canoe and small motor via Proulx and Big Crow, then the throw everything on a dolly and wheel it into Hogan. Hogan to La Muir is relatively easy... I'm actually thinking of doing that next year (blasphemy! ). I've got a squareback canoe, 2hp motor and a dolly. Not exactly the usual Algonquin experience....but I imagine the fishing would be pretty good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnyb Posted May 7, 2008 Report Share Posted May 7, 2008 (edited) When I stayed on Happy Isle, we paddled into Merchant, then Chickaree. People were doing okay on Merchant, trolling along the shoreline leading to Chickaree, and I met a guy who was raving about Chickaree in the spring....said he had done really well in there. What I remember most was the HORDES of baitfish swimming around....never seen anything like it. The shoreling opposite the portage landing drops straight down...it's so small that it's easy to cover as a side trip for a few hours. Good luck! Edited May 7, 2008 by johnnyb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nemo Posted May 7, 2008 Report Share Posted May 7, 2008 We have done both routes (BT and H/DY/BD routes) each has their pros and cons. Either way fun trips to my favourite Lake. Hey Solo if you plan to do and need a partner let me know. I would love to make that trip... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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