What the hell are they and how to catch em

[RAO]

We have a cottage on six mile lake and this past weekend I was playing around with a down rigger in some open water. I kept marking fish in the 40 - 70 foot range. I am thinking they are walleyes but am not sure. Anyone have any ideas on what they are and how to catch em. I do have a down rigger so getting to that depth is not a problem. Also I don't think they are lakers as I have not heard of anyone catching lakers on SML.

 

RAO

[BillM]

Six Mile Lake just north of GPool? Doubt they'd be walleyes at that depth with the water temps they way they are. Drop a jig down and see what happens.

[John Bacon]

Ciscoes maybe. Hard to guess without knowing what fish are in the lake. Seems pretty deep for walleye.

[sauce]

I bet a worm under a slip float set at 40 ft would get a fish sooner or later.

[RAO]

what about trolling the worm harness with that work

[bigugli]

You might be surprised at what you might find. I spent a fair chunk of my younger years on 6 Mile. My cousin was probably the last person to catch a laker there back in 72. Weighed in just over 10lbs.

There are lots of other fish you might find that deep. Ling, smallies, and yes, walleye

[RAO]

so any suggestions on how to catch what's down there

[chris.brock]

Fish On-Line isn't always accurate, but they list Whitefish, Cisco and Rainbow Smelt in SML.

 

Ciscos are usually in a school. Smelt are solitary but pretty small. I'm guessing you're marking whitefish.

 

edit- I'd jig a small spoon or small grub on top of them and see what happens.

Edited July 11, 2017 by chris.brock