SUNSET COUNTRY IS LAKER COUNTRY!
Winter in Northwestern Ontario means ice fishing season to many anglers. The prize for most is the “Laker”. Lake Trout are fun to catch and big ones can test your fishing skills. They are notoriously strong fighters and punch well beyond their weight class. However Northwestern Ontario is home to great trout fishing for a variety of species. Rainbow trout, Brook (Speckled) trout and Splake. An angler could spend an entire winter fishing different lakes and never get bored in Sunset Country.
Where to find them www.ontario.ca/fishonline is a great resource to start your search. The fisheries section is loaded with information including up to date stocking statistics. The Fish ON-line link is an interactive map feature that allows you to scroll over areas clicking the fish icon to open relevant information. Once you open up a particular lake the species found there will be listed, including any stocking information. This feature will be of interest to anglers looking for Rainbow, Brook or Splake trout. Also of note, many lakes that have been stocked are very accessible, including some with walk out access from Highway 17.
PICK YOUR FAVOURITE!
Lake trout are native throughout the Canadian Shield region, finding lakes with them is not hard. They are on top of the list for many hard water fishermen, and for good reason. Relatively easy to catch, despite providing great battles. Twenty pound fish are caught throughout the region every year, yet many lakes are loaded with ‘pan fry’ sized lakers. There is lots to love about fishing for lakers.
STOCKED LAKES ABOUND
Fishing for Rainbow, Brook or Splake will most likely lead you to one of the stocked lakes. Many of the lakes have been stocked will multiply trout species, making for a great angling experience. It is not uncommon to catch one pound rainbows and two pound brookies mixed together. Splake, a hybrid of Speckle and Lake Trout are an often sought after fish. Considered by many to be the “Unicorn” in the tout family. Ranging in size from 12” up to 30”, you truly never know what you will catch until they get through the ice. They are found in many lakes thanks to stocking efforts.
Take your pick, Ontario’s Sunset Country offers it all.
MULTI SPECIES EXPERIENCE
Fishing with friend, and owner of Vermilion Bay’s Sunset Country Adventures, Steve Smith and I had a rare hat-trick day. Catching all three stocked species of trout from one lake. Walking on to the lake from Highway 17, between Kenora and Vermilion Bay, ( I won’t give away the name of the lake ) ice fishing does not get much easier. We started drilling holes along a slow breaking shoreline , which turned out to be 30’ deep. Almost instantly we picked up some Brookies, using only small Northland Tackle tungsten jigs tipped with small minnows.
After a short while we decided to move into shallow water to target Rainbow’s. Drilling holes off a prominent main lake point, we were aiming for a range of depth from 6’ to 20’. Unbeknownst to us, some of our holes were off the edge, over 35’ of water.
DOWNSIZE FOR FINICKY FISH
Downsizing our jigs to Northland Tackle’s Crappie Thumper jig or equivalent, we started out in the shallowest water. It didn’t take long and Steve was putting Rainbow’s on the ice. I had yet to have a bite, so I decided to jump holes to find some active fish. Remember our holes over deep water? As I dropped the flasher into the hole, I was surprised to see 35’ of water, as well as the distinct line at 15’. I dropped my tiny jig down and as it hit the 8’ mark the fish started moving up to it. I felt the bite, and set with a gentle sweep upward, being mindful of my ultra-light action St Croix Mojo Ice rod.
Almost right away I knew this was a bigger fish, as it pulled drag and went down to 25’ in an instant. Yelling at Steve, “I got a big one!”, he came running over to offer assistance. Throughout the ensuing 10 minute battle, we had her at the hole twice only to lose ground. When she finally stuck her head in the hole, Steve reached in and pulled her out. Only then did it hit us, the biggest Splake we had ever seen. 25 ¾”
The euphoria started to wear off and we were ready to pack up when my tip-up, set in 8’ of water, went off. Expecting a small Rainbow, I was not prepared to see another large Splake flash under the hole as I pulled on the line. After a slightly shorter battle then the previous fish, she came out of the hole and again we gasped. We backed up the larger fish with a solid 24 ¼” fish.
What a day. I wouldn’t expect a trip like that every day, but the lakes in the area offer such great fishing.
LAKERS, LAKERS EVERYTWHERE!
Anyone who has ever caught a decent Laker through the ice will tell you the same thing, “Damn, do they fight!” The allure of catching such a voracious predator is amazing. Their ability to chase baits, from 60’ to below the ice before hitting is second to none. The head shakes, and downward pumps as they peel your drag. The pin-wheels under the ice as they refuse to give up. Catching a big Lake Trout through the ice is an experience every angler needs to feel.
BIG FISH ABOUND
Whether I’m chasing the bite south of Eagle Lake or fishing majestic Anishinabi Lake, there is always one constant. I plan to catch a big one. This area is known for large Laker’s, and you have to have the right gear to catch them. Don’t bring your crappie rods here. Heavy action rods, 20 pound braided line and stout hooks.
I prefer tube jigs, such as Northland tackle inner tube jig and Impulse tubes, tipped with a minnow or minnow head. But my favorite new trout bait has to be the Hunger Strike tube, by Drop Tine Tackle. A simple tube jig with a treble hanging below and a small blade attached to a trailer behind the tentacles. A slight variation on the classic tube design, but they have proved very effective for many anglers. www.droptinetackle.com
ICE FISHING IS A FAMILY ACTIVITY
Ice fishing is a popular activity, one you can share with family and friends. Looking ahead to another period of lock-downs and closures due to Covid-19, no time has been better to enjoy the great outdoors than right now. Those of you in and around Northwestern Ontario, there is no reason not to target trout this winter. Ontario’s Sunset Country is truly an angler’s winter playground.