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
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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.