Guys, if you haven’t experienced fishing in a lake with some behemoth Lake Trout (a.k.a. Mackinaw Trout) you’re missing out.
I’ve gotten several emails asking about additional details how to catch these giant fish!…
Additionally, we’ve compiled some of the most common mistakes that anglers like is are making and are completely unaware! Crazy, right?
Mistake 1
Many guys don’t know how deep these beasts actually go…
If a lake is crystal clear, these bad boys hold up in some crazy deep waters.
- Summer months: Trout chillin’ 150-225 feet deep (downrigger is a must!)
- Winter & spring: Trout hangin’ at 25-60 feet deep (trolling without a downrigger works)
However if you lake is slightly stained it’s probably best to cut the depth in half.
Mistake 2
A lot of guys underestimate the gear they need…
These trout are massive and having the right gear is paramount. Here’s a quick list if what you need.
When it comes to chasing those massive Mackinaw trout, you gotta have the right gear in your arsenal. Here’s the lowdown on the best rods and reels for reeling in those lake monsters:
Rods:
- The Backbone: A medium-heavy to heavy power, fast-action rod is your best bet for battling those beefy Mackinaw trout.
- Length Matters: Go for a rod in the 7-9 foot range. It’ll give you plenty of leverage and make casting those deep-diving lures a breeze.
Reels:
- The Muscle: Choose a baitcasting reel with a smooth, powerful drag system. You need enough backbone to handle the lake trout’s epic runs and keep ’em on the line.
- Line Capacity: Big fish need big line. Pick a reel with a large spool to accommodate the heavy line you’ll be using to haul in those chunky Mackinaw.
Rod & Reel Combos:
- For the ultimate Mackinaw fishing experience, consider a rod and reel combo that’s designed for big game. Some popular options include:
- Okuma Great Lakes Trolling Combo
- Penn Squall Level Wind Combo
- Abu Garcia Ambassadeur Trolling Combo
Fishing Line:
- Main line: Go for 30-40-pound mono, 65-pound braid, or lead core line
- Leader line: Tie on a 20-30-feet, 15-20-pound fluorocarbon line
- Lure connection: Use a loop knot for prime lure action in the water
Mistake 3
Many guys are using the wrong knot.
Listen guys… I’m a creature of habit, but one of tips that really turned up my Lake Trout fishing game is learning the right knot that will give my lure the best action… that it attracts and… catches more trout!
So what knot does all this? — The loop knot!
Below I added a video you can watch how to tie a loop knot.
Mistake 4
Have you ever gotten to the lake and just felt like you didn’t know where to start? Heck I know I have!
You can’t just start fishing for these giants just anywhere!
Here’s where you can start to find lake trout fast:
- Rocky reefs
- Deep shelves
- Ledges
- Points
Mistake 5
You go out looking giant lake trout…
You see to catch one of these giants, you’ll need to find the rainbow trout or kokanee (if you lake has them).
Big lake trout eat kokanee salmon and rainbow trout. So before you put any lures into the water graph the areas first to find the rainbows and kokanee FIRST.
Be warned, kokanee and rainbow trout can be elusive, it may take you ten minutes or up to an hour to find these fish on some of these spots.
Kokanee and rainbow trout will appear like small slivers/arcs grouped suspended off the bottom on your fish finder.
If you don’t see any fish with your sonar, don’t waste your time, move over to the next area.
Once you find them…
Once you find a spot with either kokanee or rainbow trout on it, besure to graph the area, looking for lake trout.
Lake trout will appear as larger arcs below the or nearby the kokanee.
Sometimes you may not see any lake trout arcs on your graph because they are hugging the bottom. Don’t let this discourage you, if you see the bait, the big lake trout will be nearby.
Mistake 6
Your rods are not rigged up with the right lures by the time you’re ready to fish them…
Guys, these fish are pelagic, meaning they move where ever the bait moves. So if you stumble upon an area that chalked full of rainbows and you’re not ready, they could be gone by the time you’re all done tying up/
Here’s a list of lures that work awesome for lake trout
- Flat fish
- Small rapalas
- Trolling spoons
- Wedding ring spinners
- And streamers and flies
Mistake 7
Not making the correct presentation…
Using your downrigger, keep your down lure as close to the bottom as you can. Preferably within a few feet off the lake floor.
Having a partner drive the boat and call out the depths and the other manning the rods adjusting the downrigger depth up or down accordingly can usually catch a few quick succession.
Troll the area in a circuit pattern or a figure-8 pattern approximately 1.5-2.5 miles per hour.
So I hope this helps… see there’s a lot of things we can quickly and easily do to help you catch the Giant Mackinaw Lake Trout of your wildest dreams!
— Tight lines!
George Servinson
My name is George and I'm been fishing my entire life and love all things outdoors. My passion is helping anyone catch more fish. The newest things I've been doing lately is learning how to break down and clean all my reels, teaching my boy how to kayak fish, and bushcraft wilderness survival.
