What secrets hide beneath the cold, deep waters where lake trout patrol? These powerful fish can be tricky to catch. Many anglers cast their lines again and again, wondering why those big lunkers refuse to bite. Choosing the right lure feels like a guessing game. You see shiny spoons, bright spinners, and deep-diving plugs, and it’s hard to know which one works best on any given day.
The challenge is real: lake trout have specific feeding habits and often hide in deep, dark water. Using the wrong lure means wasting time and energy. You need tools that mimic their natural food and grab their attention, even in low light. This guide cuts through the confusion. We will break down the best types of lures for targeting lake trout successfully.
By the end of this post, you will understand exactly which lures to tie onto your line for different lake conditions and seasons. Get ready to stop guessing and start landing those trophy lake trout. Let’s dive into the tackle box essentials!
Top Fishing Lures For Lake Trout Recommendations
- Versatile Multi-Species Lures：Designed for bass, trout, salmon, walleye, pike, and panfish in both freshwater and saltwater. Effective for casting, trolling, or jigging across lakes, rivers, and coastal waters.
- Professional-Grade Construction：10 durable spinnerbaits (5x 0.22oz + 5x 0.11oz) with 2.36" lifelike profiles. High-carbon treble hooks maintain razor sharpness, while UV-reactive sleeves enhance visibility in murky waters.
- Optimal Flash & Vibration：Patented rotating blades generate intense flash and low-frequency vibrations without aggressive retrieval. Mimics injured baitfish movement to trigger predatory strikes.
- Portable Storage Solution：Heavy-duty tackle box prevents hook tangling and rust. Compact design fits in vest pockets – ideal for bank fishing, ice fishing, or boat tournaments.
- Ultimate Angler Gift Set：Premium packaged kit perfect for birthdays, Father's Day, or Christmas. Backed by 100% satisfaction guarantee for worry-free gifting.
- GREAT FOR TROUT AND OTHER SPECIES: These fishing accessories catch anything that swims and will out-fish any lure on the freshwater stream for trout. Catches panfish, creek chub, largemouth, smallmouth bass, crappie, you name it this lure can catch it
- ALL YOU NEED FOR A GREAT FISHING SYSTEM: this trout magnet kit includes 70 neon color Grub Bodies and 12 size 8 hooks, all of which are necessary to complete a non-fail fishing system for your fishing rods
- FALLS HORIZONTALLY IN THE WATER: Trout magnet hook and body fall horizontally in the water instead of head weight like all other jigs; This design Is what separates it from all other jigs, it is the perfect addition to your fishing tackle box
- GREAT SIZE BOX FOR POCKET: Single-sided Trout Magnet Box is the ideal size for a pocket or vest with our bright neon color jig bodies selection and jig head; your fishing equipment will be the envy of your friends
- MADE IN USA: With high-grade plastic and bright neon colors that will not tear like other plastics on the market; the Neon Magnet Fishing Kit is a great idea to include as fishing gifts for relatives and friends
- 2026 New Release Fishing Spinners Set:The Fishing Spinner is FONMANG 2026 new release fishing lures, featuring different sizes and weights, beautiful colors, unique spinners, and a portable tackle box.
- Multiple Weights for More Fish:1/8 oz (3.5g) for panfish, bluegill, and small trout; 1/6 oz (4.5g) for trout and bass; 1/4 oz (7g) for larger trout, bass, pike, salmon, and steelhead.
- Flash and Vibration Attraction:Providing spinnerbait ideal combination of flash and vibration to trigger strikes in both clear and murky waters.
- Premium Components Performance:Made using the best possible components, featuring a premium blade, top-of-the-line clevis for smooth running, and a reliable treble hook.
- Great for All Anglers & Gifts:Perfect for beginners and professionals, rooster tail fishing lures help catch more fish in rivers and lakes and make a great fishing gift.
- 𝗘𝗫𝗔𝗨𝗥𝗔𝗙𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗦 𝗙𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗼𝗻 Lures have a wild, unpredictable action, with a unique weight balance that makes furious movement without twisting the line. Jerking the line makes the spoon Jumping around like a hurt minnow escaping its way, that is a great attraction for predators. When retrieving the line, fast or slowly, the spoon makes a 180° rotation left and right cyclically, producing a significant flash and vibration, attracting trout, salmon, walleye and pike to strike.
- 𝗘𝗫𝗔𝗨𝗥𝗔𝗙𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗦 𝗙𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗼𝗻 𝗟𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀 Mirror flash surface, highly visible and optically brightened, makes a perfect flash that is attractive to predators. Excellent lures for trout, bluegill, pike, panfish, sunfish, rock bass, largemouth bass, yellow bass, striper, musky, striped bass and even crappie.
- 𝗘𝗫𝗔𝗨𝗥𝗔𝗙𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗦 𝗙𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗼𝗻 is equipped with 4x reinforced sharp treble hooks, that will grip and endure bigger fish.
- Exaurafelis fishing spoons, with a tackle box it is easier to use and restore. The isolations in the box makes each spoon has a fixed space to avoid hooks scratching other fishing baits.
- 𝐓𝐈𝐏:24h Friendly customer service and email support. If you have any problem, please contact our customer service. If you find some of our products damaged or missing , please contact us in time, we will offer you a free replacement.
- WIDELY FISHING SPECIES - Using Japan material, the freshwater fishing lures is the perfect size at 3.5in, which ready to take on multiple hits. Whether you are fishing reefs, estuaries, rivers, fresh or saltwater, the Truscend lures for fishing will become your essential paddle tail lure to target bass, trout, Walleye, pike snook, salmon, redfish and many more.
- LIFE-LIKE ACTION - The bass fishing lures have a special 3D paddle tail to give off turbulence, ultra-realistic patterns, life-like halographic eyes and solid wire through construction to ultra-sharp BKK back hook. The Top Hook protects against hangups. Its weedless nature enables you to fish it well through all types of cover.
- LONG CASTING JIG HEAD - Having an ideal weight for long casting and slow sinking, Truscend fishing bait can achieve a slow, flutter presentation. Featuring a precisely engineered shape, the soft body swimbaits generate the perfect kicking action. You can easily cast the fishing jigs bait into your ideal fish area.
- JAPAN DESIGN - Constructed from high quality materials from Japan, expertly design and rigorous testing of light refraction fish pattern make TRUSCEND "Shad Paddle Tail Bait" more realistic and attractive. The soft plastic fishing lures who lively Japanese design perfectly emulates erratic baitfish action.
- ULTRA-SHARP HOOK - Equipped with sharp high quality high carbon steel hook on back, the innovative design of these soft lures can help ensure increased fish hook ups in all situations while avoid getting hung up when fishing. The bass lures can take your bass fishing game to the next level.
- 8 SEGMENTS LIFELIKE LURES: Designed with 8 segment multi-jointed body, TRUSCEND fishing lure can sink slowly and move flexible in water. In addition, life-like swimming actions make it attracting more catches and provoking predator fish to strike.
- HIGH SIMULATION: With 3D realistic looking eyes and pearl powder coating, this swimbait appears very delicate and vivid that looks like a real fish. A perfect fishing bait that easily cheats the target fishes.
- BASS VIBRATION: Made of high-quality ABS material and equipped with built-in rattle, this vibe lure can continuously emit the fish sound wave to during the swimming to provoke the feeding urge of the fishes and induce them to attack.
- WIDELY FISHING SPECIES: This bass fishing lure can be widely used to catch bass, yellow perch, walleye, pike, muskie, roach, trout, snook. salmon etc. This swimbait is quite suitable for both saltwater and freshwater and functions well in all water layers.
- RIGGED AND READY: Don’t waste your time rigging up your tubes! The new Northland Fishing Tackle Level-Head Predator Tube comes rigged and ready to catch big fish right out of the package, and includes an extra soft plastic body.
- BIG FISH BAIT: The soft chewy body of this large tube lure swims and darts like a dying baitfish underwater, attracting hungry predators. A stout hook combined with a blood red sting’r hook ensures you can seal the deal on even the biggest lake trout or pike. Tie one on, and hold on!
- LEVEL-HEAD DESIGN: This pre-rigged soft plastic fishing tube features an eyelet that is strategically placed further down the head of the jig to ensure that the bait always hangs horizontally, to create a natural looking presentation when jigging.
- YEAR-ROUND USE: This artificial tube excels in any freshwater vertical jigging situation and will catch fish through the ice and from the boat alike. Available in 3 sizes, and 4 different proven colors like white, glow, and chartreuse that are highly visible in a variety of conditions.
- TESTED AND TRUSTED: This lure was tested and trusted by the team at Northland Fishing Tackle, and professional anglers across the country. Northland Fishing Tackle has been delivering essential fishing tackle to anglers nationwide for decades. Every Northland Tackle product is designed by fishermen for quality conscious anglers that demand the best in their fishing tackle and accessories.
- Moldable and easy to Use
- Floating formula enhances dispersion of Power Bait scent and flavor
- 4-Pack includes: Chartreuse, RAINBOW, fluorescent orange and yellow
- Low profile dual regulator adjustable climate control
Choosing the Best Lures for Lake Trout: Your Essential Buying Guide
Lake trout are powerful, deep-dwelling fish. Catching them requires the right tools. A good lure makes all the difference. This guide helps you pick the perfect lure for your next lake trout adventure.
Key Features to Look For
When you shop for lake trout lures, keep these important things in mind:
- Size and Profile: Lake trout often chase large meals. Look for lures ranging from 4 inches up to 10 inches long, especially when targeting bigger fish. The lure’s shape (profile) should mimic the baitfish they usually eat in that lake.
- Color Selection: Color matters, but water clarity changes everything. In clear water, natural colors like silver or white work well. In deep or murky water, bright colors like chartreuse, orange, or fire-tiger stand out better.
- Action (Wobble/Vibration): How the lure moves underwater is crucial. Some lures dive deep and wobble side-to-side. Others swim with a tighter action. Test the lure’s action by reeling it slowly near the boat before you drop it down.
- Depth Rating: Lake trout live deep, often hundreds of feet down. Ensure the lure you choose can reach the desired depth, either through its own design (like a deep-diving crankbait) or by pairing it with appropriate weight (like a dodger or heavy spoon).
Important Materials in Lake Trout Lures
The material a lure is made from affects how it looks, how it performs, and how long it lasts.
- Plastics (Soft Baits): Soft plastic swimbaits are popular. They offer realistic movement. High-quality plastics resist tearing when a toothy lake trout bites them.
- Metal (Spoons and Spinners): Metal is essential for trolling deep. Spoons are often made from brass or steel. Good quality spoons have a thick, durable finish that resists scratching from rocks or fish teeth.
- Hard Bodies (Crankbaits/Jerkbaits): These are usually made from durable plastics like polycarbonate or ABS. Check the lip (the plastic piece that makes the lure dive). Strong, thick lips break less often when hitting the bottom.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Lure Quality
Quality directly impacts how often you get strikes.
What Improves Quality:
Sharp, strong hooks are a must. Lake trout have tough mouths. Hooks made from high-carbon steel hold their edge longer and resist bending. Also, look for good quality paint jobs. Lures with layered, UV-reflective paint patterns often catch more fish because they look more like real baitfish under the water.
What Reduces Quality:
Cheap split rings (the metal loops connecting the hook) can open up under pressure, losing your fish. Flimsy line ties or weak plastic bodies tear easily. If a lure rattles loudly or feels unbalanced when you pull it through the water, its action might be poor, reducing its effectiveness.
User Experience and Use Cases
You use different lures depending on how you fish for lake trout.
Trolling Scenarios:
When trolling—pulling the lure behind a moving boat—heavy spoons and large crankbaits shine. Spoons create a strong flash and vibration, making them great for covering large areas quickly. You need lures that hold their action even at higher speeds (1.5 to 3.5 mph).
Vertical Jigging Scenarios:
When the trout are holding tight to the bottom, vertical jigging is best. Use heavy metal jigs or tube jigs tipped with bait. The user experience here is about control. You want a lure that sinks fast and falls straight down. It should flutter enticingly when you pause your jigging motion.
Casting Scenarios:
Casting is more common in shallower water or near reefs during the cooler months. Use heavier jerkbaits or inline spinners. A good casting lure needs weight to fly far. When retrieved, it should swim immediately, attracting the trout to strike.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Lake Trout Lures
Q: What is the best all-around color for lake trout?
A: Silver or white spoons are often the best all-around choices because they mimic smelt and whitefish, which are common lake trout food.
Q: Should I use scented lures for lake trout?
A: While scent can help, lake trout are primarily sight and vibration feeders. A good action and a proper depth are usually more important than heavy scent.
Q: Are lake trout lures expensive?
A: Quality lures can cost between $5 and $20 each. While you can find cheaper options, investing in durable, proven metal spoons usually saves money in the long run.
Q: How deep do I need my lures to go?
A: This changes daily! In summer, you might need lures fishing 60 to 150 feet deep. In spring and fall, they are often much shallower, maybe 15 to 40 feet.
Q: What is a “dodger” and do I need one?
A: A dodger is a flat, metal plate that wobbles side-to-side when trolled. It creates a wide action and flash. Yes, dodgers are very popular for making spoons and plugs look more appealing to lake trout.
Q: How do I make my spoon dive deeper?
A: You can use heavier spoons, add more line (more line out equals more drag and depth), or attach a specialized weight system like a lead core line or a downrigger.
Q: Are treble hooks okay, or should I use single hooks?
A: Treble hooks often provide a better hook-up ratio. However, many anglers switch to strong single hooks, especially in areas requiring catch-and-release, as single hooks cause less damage to the fish.
Q: When should I use a tube jig instead of a spoon?
A: Use tube jigs when you suspect the lake trout are holding very close to structure or the bottom. They work best when jigged slowly right in front of the fish.
Q: How does water temperature affect lure choice?
A: In very cold water (early spring), trout are sluggish, so use slower retrieves and smaller, more subtle lures. In warmer water, they feed aggressively, so big, fast-moving lures work well.
Q: Can I use bass lures for lake trout?
A: You can use large jerkbaits or swimbaits designed for bass. However, you must ensure the hardware (hooks, split rings) is strong enough to handle the much stronger fight of a mature lake trout.