ccmtcanada Posted March 22, 2015 Report Share Posted March 22, 2015 (edited) I've rented a cottage on Haliburton Lake this summer (July) and I'm interested in targeting Lake Trout and Smallies. I've never targeted Lake Trout in deep cold waters so I'm looking for advice on equipment, fishing technique etc. My brother is flying out from Alberta to join me so I'd like to put him on fish! I know they will be deep and I'll be searching for fish using my depth finder. Should I jig for them or is investing in dipseys and rods be the way to go? I don't have down riggers and likely won't invest in them for just one trip. Any advice and tips are appreciated! Thanks!! Edited March 22, 2015 by ccmt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris.brock Posted March 22, 2015 Report Share Posted March 22, 2015 Do you mean Oblong Lk near Percy Lk? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccmtcanada Posted March 22, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2015 Chris...I mean the Oblong that's connected to Haliburton Lake... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4x4bassin Posted March 22, 2015 Report Share Posted March 22, 2015 Jig for them ccmt . As long as you have a good finder and some calm weather that's the way to go for sure . I'm out at least once a week in the summer jigging for lakers and they are actually quite easy to find believe it or not . Lake trout prefer water temps in the 50-55 degree range so find the deepest part of the lake and move out from there finding some drop-offs or feeding shelves in that area of the lake . Where I fish the lake trout are not that deep (30-60 ft) and I have actually caught lakers in 15ft of water in the heat of the summer so don't think they are always in the depths , they will always follow the food no matter the water temp. The lake trout you see on your finder in the deepest part of the lake are generally in a negative mood so I personally don't even bother with them and move to those drop offs or shelves in 30 - 60 ft of water and fish those guys . Those lakers are in a some what positive feeding mood. I have several fishing reports on this forum from my laker jigging adventures so check them out . I will try to find some pics. of my favorite go to jigs/setups and post them on here for you . I could talk for ever about jigging lake trout , it's quite the rush and I absolutely love it . Nothing beats a 15lb lake trout racing up off the bottom and smashing your jig and seeing it all unfold on you finder screen . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris.brock Posted March 22, 2015 Report Share Posted March 22, 2015 That's a nice part of the County around there. Haliburton is a pretty lake that coughs up the odd giant laker. Fort Irwin is a cute little town too. I don't like dipsy divers. Most times you can't even tell when a small laker is on. I like old school wire line better. I have a portable downrigger I'm not using. You could swing by and borrow it for the week. Jigging heavy spoons will work if the wind isn't blowing you around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sinker Posted March 22, 2015 Report Share Posted March 22, 2015 You could get a portable rigger for chheaper than a pair of dipsey set ups. Id rather use riggers than divers for sure. Hali is a beauty lake. Lots of whities in there too. Love that area! S. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GBW Posted March 22, 2015 Report Share Posted March 22, 2015 I grew up on the North end of Hali lake Cliff. Delaney Rd was longer back then (went all the way out to Hali lake rd) and named Delaney Dr after my grandfather who's team brought the Hydro to the area. I can tell you a whole lot of SMB spots on that lake and a trolling section... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave524 Posted March 22, 2015 Report Share Posted March 22, 2015 Where I fish the lake trout are not that deep (30-60 ft) and I have actually caught lakers in 15ft of water in the heat of the summer so don't think they are always in the depths , they will always follow the food no matter the water temp. The lake trout you see on your finder in the deepest part of the lake are generally in a negative mood so I personally don't even bother with them and move to those drop offs or shelves in 30 - 60 ft of water and fish those guys . Those lakers are in a some what positive feeding mood. That was my experience with Haliburton Lakes, don't think I ever put a cannonball deeper than 50 feet. Temperature reading with the old Fishhawk probe would always be below 50 degrees by 40 feet, incredible how fast the thermocline drops from 60 degrees to high forties . Never fished Haliburton Lake but often drove by it going to smaller lakes on that hydro rightaway that runs up to Whitney. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccmtcanada Posted March 22, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2015 Awesome info guys. Thanks!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
singingdog Posted March 23, 2015 Report Share Posted March 23, 2015 Jig. As 4x4 said, lakers are not difficult to find in the summer, and and can be very aggressive. Trolling for them, once the water has warmed up, is a great way to cover a lot of unproductive water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4x4bassin Posted March 23, 2015 Report Share Posted March 23, 2015 (edited) Here ya go , couple of my favorite jigs for lake trout . All are 3/4 - 1 oz with the top picture being the best jig for me last year . Maybe its the homemade paint job on the jig head . Bottom jig in last picture is beaten up pretty good from that trip . Can't really offer any advice for that area your fishing , I generally hit the Parry Sound area and Algonquin but I'm sure there all pretty well the same . Edited March 23, 2015 by 4x4bassin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FishOn Posted March 23, 2015 Report Share Posted March 23, 2015 What a great topic, I really enjoy it. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccmtcanada Posted March 23, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2015 Thanks 4x4bassin! I searched your old reports and bookmarked them. Looking forward to catching a few hopefully in July! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sinker Posted March 23, 2015 Report Share Posted March 23, 2015 How big is that minnow jig in the first pic? Fin-S minnow? I love my Fin-S minnows, but never tried them for jigging lakers....might have to giver a whirl! S. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4x4bassin Posted March 23, 2015 Report Share Posted March 23, 2015 (edited) How big is that minnow jig in the first pic? Fin-S minnow? I love my Fin-S minnows, but never tried them for jigging lakers....might have to giver a whirl! S. That is a 1 oz darter head with a 5.75" fin-s minnow in that first pic. I paint up my own darters at home . I have used flukes , gulp minnows you name it and find the fin-s fish the best . I use a smaller minnow in the spring (4 inches) and work up to a bigger one come Aug/Sept (5-7 inches) Match the local prey size ! It might sound a little over the top for lake trout but it works for me . Edited March 23, 2015 by 4x4bassin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sinker Posted March 24, 2015 Report Share Posted March 24, 2015 Thanks for the info. Im gonna try it. I find the same with the Fin-s fish....they work the best, and they're tough as nails too! S. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishindevil Posted March 24, 2015 Report Share Posted March 24, 2015 Cliff I have fished Haliburton lake many many times !!!! And can give you some tips like the guys above did as well !!!! I will have fished it several times by the time you have your holiday and might even be there while you are there so we can talk a little closer to that time !!!! And don't think of getting riggers is not worth it for 1 trip !!!! Think of it as you are getting a rigger for many many more trips !!!! And not just for there for all over !!!!! Come on man !!!! Lol ..... Haha no such thing as too much tackle & gear ......... ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
singingdog Posted March 24, 2015 Report Share Posted March 24, 2015 It might sound a little over the top for lake trout but it works for me . Not at all. One of the most successful summer laker fisherman I know - fairly young guy - jigs for them with musky tubes....and catches tanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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