Have you ever stared at a wall of shiny fishing lures, wondering which one will finally tempt that giant Lake Trout to bite? It feels like a guessing game, doesn’t it? Lake Trout are powerful fighters, but they can also be surprisingly picky eaters. Choosing the wrong lure means long hours with nothing to show for your effort—a frustrating experience every angler knows too well.
The depth, water clarity, and the season all change what these magnificent fish prefer. Knowing which spoon, plug, or jig to toss can be the difference between an empty cooler and a freezer full of fish. This guide cuts through the confusion. We will break down the best Lake Trout lures for every situation.
By the end of this post, you will know exactly which colors, sizes, and actions work best to trigger aggressive strikes. Get ready to stop guessing and start catching. Let’s dive into the tackle box essentials for targeting the mighty Lake Trout!
Top Lake Trout Fishing Lures Recommendations
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Choosing the Best Lures for Lake Trout Fishing
Lake trout are big, powerful fish. They live deep in cold water. Catching them requires the right tools. This guide helps you pick the best lures. We look at what makes a lure work well for these amazing fish.
Key Features to Look For
When buying lake trout lures, a few things really stand out.
- Size and Weight: Lake trout often live very deep. You need heavy lures. Heavy lures sink fast to where the trout are. A lure that is too light will float up too high. Look for lures over 1 ounce for deep trolling.
- Action: How the lure moves in the water is its action. Lake trout like lures that wobble or dart. This movement mimics a struggling baitfish. Test the action right out of the package.
- Color Visibility: Deep water is dark. You need bright or contrasting colors. Think about the water clarity where you fish. Clear water might need natural colors. Murky water needs bright colors like chartreuse or orange.
Important Materials
The materials used in a lure affect how long it lasts and how well it works.
Most good lake trout lures use strong metals. Brass, stainless steel, or solid aluminum are great choices. These materials resist corrosion from lake water. Plastic lures work too, especially spoons, but ensure the plastic is thick and durable. Cheap plastic cracks easily when hitting rocks or when a big trout fights hard.
Hooks matter a lot. You need strong, sharp hooks. Treble hooks are common. Ensure the hooks are corrosion-resistant. Rusty hooks break or bend under pressure.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Quality makes a big difference when fighting a trophy lake trout.
Improving Quality
- Finish: A high-quality paint job or plating lasts longer. Holographic finishes reflect light better, attracting fish from farther away.
- Split Rings and Hardware: Strong split rings connect the hooks to the body. Weak rings open up during a fight. Always check that the hardware looks heavy-duty.
- Proper Balance: A well-balanced lure swims correctly at different speeds. Poorly balanced lures spin or tumble, which scares fish away.
Reducing Quality
Low-quality lures often use thin metal. This metal bends easily. Cheap paint chips off quickly, exposing bare metal that rusts. Sometimes, the hooks are dull right out of the box. Dull hooks mean missed fish.
User Experience and Use Cases
Different situations call for different lures. Think about how you fish.
Trolling: This is the most common way to catch deep lake trout. You need heavy spoons or deep-diving plugs. Spoons create a wide wobble when pulled fast behind a boat. Plugs dive to specific depths.
Jigging: When you find a school of trout suspended in the water column, jigging works well. Use heavy metal jigs that drop fast. Jigs need a sharp lift-and-drop motion to look like an injured minnow. This technique requires patience and feeling the lure’s movement.
Shallow Water (Spring/Fall): Early in the season or late in the evening, trout move up. Use shallower-running crankbaits or larger inline spinners. These lures imitate smelt or small baitfish near the surface.
10 Frequently Asked Questions About Lake Trout Lures
Q: What is the best size spoon for lake trout?
A: For general trolling, spoons between 5 to 9 inches long work very well. Bigger spoons attract bigger fish.
Q: Should I use natural or bright colors?
A: Use bright colors like fire tiger or orange on cloudy days or in murky water. Use silver or white when the sun is bright and the water is clear.
Q: Are these lures safe for the environment?
A: Look for lures made without lead weights if possible. Many modern lures use safer metal alloys. Always use a net to land the fish to protect its mouth and the lure.
Q: Do I need to change the hooks right away?
A: Yes, it is smart to upgrade the hooks on new lures. Factory hooks are often weak. Stronger hooks ensure you land the fish.
Q: What is “action” in a lure?
A: Action is the way the lure moves through the water. A good action looks like a real fish swimming or wounded.
Q: Can I use bass lures for lake trout?
A: You can use some larger bass jigs, but most bass plugs do not dive deep enough for typical lake trout depths.
Q: How fast should I troll for lake trout?
A: Trolling speed varies, but a good starting point is 1.5 to 2.5 miles per hour. Watch how the lure acts behind the boat.
Q: What is a ‘flasher’ or ‘dodger’?
A: These are large metal attractors you put ahead of your spoon or lure. They create a large flash and wobble to draw attention to your main bait.
Q: When should I use a topwater lure for lake trout?
A: Almost never. Lake trout usually stay deep. Only use topwater lures right at dawn or dusk when they feed near the surface in summer.
Q: How do I keep my metal lures from rusting?
A: Rinse your lures thoroughly with fresh water after every trip. Then, dry them completely before storing them in a dry tackle box.