I changed the clutch on my car, just fixed my stuck tent poles, and I'm finishing up the last of my packing tonight including lure selection. My primary goal will be Lake Trout before the season closes for spawning. Does anyone know what depths the trout are at right now? I'm guessing it's time for shallow presentations? Is this close enough to the spawn to target 0 - 10 fow? We will be fishing around Ima and Thomas lake 19th-23rd.

Any fishing or tripping tips are appreciated!

I'd still be targeting the 30-40fow range

I have zero fall experience in canoe country except a fall brook trout trip. But I have a friend, who shall remain nameless, who went the first week of October. I watched a video of 30 lakers in 30 drops with a white curly tail. He was fishing a mid lake reef in the Quetico which topped out around 15 ft. The fish were obviously gathered to spawn. He has gone twice more, same time frame, and has been unable to replicate that magical success. Much of it due to tough weather conditions.

I'm with Jim. It's probably a bit early to fish shallow. I like his depth frame, sounds about right. I would expect them to be starting to stage however and I would be trolling around mid lake reefs. Electronics might help and if your not getting bit on cranks I would drop jigs or blade baits on them. They might be grouped together so much of the water might seem like a desert. That's my take, just a guess though. Better to get an informed opinion from somebody who has actually "been there, done that". Good luck!

quote murphylakejim: "I changed the clutch on my car, just fixed my stuck tent poles, and I'm finishing up the last of my packing tonight including lure selection. My primary goal will be Lake Trout before the season closes for spawning. Does anyone know what depths the trout are at right now? I'm guessing it's time for shallow presentations? Is this close enough to the spawn to target 0 - 10 fow? We will be fishing around Ima and Thomas lake 19th-23rd.

Any fishing or tripping tips are appreciated!"

Shoot me a e-mail... I think I can help narrow your search on Thomas... in the meantime load up on white tube jigs( big ones) , and white twister tails,(big ones).... 1/2, 3/4, 1 oz. jigs....

quote walllee: "

quote murphylakejim: "I changed the clutch on my car, just fixed my stuck tent poles, and I'm finishing up the last of my packing tonight including lure selection. My primary goal will be Lake Trout before the season closes for spawning. Does anyone know what depths the trout are at right now? I'm guessing it's time for shallow presentations? Is this close enough to the spawn to target 0 - 10 fow? We will be fishing around Ima and Thomas lake 19th-23rd.


Any fishing or tripping tips are appreciated!"

Shoot me a e-mail... I think I can help narrow your search on Thomas... in the meantime load up on white tube jigs( big ones) , and white twister tails,(big ones).... 1/2, 3/4, 1 oz. jigs...."

The email link appears to be missing from the browser on my phone. I would have to go into work tomorrow to use a desktop and follow the link to email. You can write me at fobiaskater@gmail.com if you have the time. I won't be losing service on my phone untill sometime well into the afternoon.

Did you get the e- mail Jim?

quote AmarilloJim: "I'd still be targeting the 30-40fow range"

+1

quote walllee: "

quote murphylakejim: "I changed the clutch on my car, just fixed my stuck tent poles, and I'm finishing up the last of my packing tonight including lure selection. My primary goal will be Lake Trout before the season closes for spawning. Does anyone know what depths the trout are at right now? I'm guessing it's time for shallow presentations? Is this close enough to the spawn to target 0 - 10 fow? We will be fishing around Ima and Thomas lake 19th-23rd.


Any fishing or tripping tips are appreciated!"

Shoot me a e-mail... I think I can help narrow your search on Thomas... in the meantime load up on white tube jigs( big ones) , and white twister tails,(big ones).... 1/2, 3/4, 1 oz. jigs...."

+1 on the white tube jigs! Salted coffee flavor worked wonders in May.

quote Basspro69: "

quote AmarilloJim: "I'd still be targeting the 30-40fow range"

+1"

+2 - but I would expect to also try flat-line trolling along reefs and long, underwater points. Also would expect to cast white tube jigs (already covered above) along those same reefs and points.

If you haven't already left pearl white size seven Swedish pimples tipped with half a minnow is fantastic if your jigging.

quote mutz: "If you haven't already left pearl white size seven Swedish pimples tipped with half a minnow is fantastic if your jigging."

Hmmm.........may be the best advice yet.

i'm a little late on this post ,, but on the fall trips i've done in september targeting lake trout , 1 trip early sept. we were catching them very shallow on my bread and butter 7" original floating rapala blk/gold which gets down about 10' other trips later in sept , catching them deeper than 20' sometimes its a mystery but i would troll shallow first , then step out 1 depth farther with spoons/cleos and/or deep diver cranks , and i love the one's that suspend , during turns the pause and go of the suspending lures can be the trigger factor.

Just got back from the Q. Laker fishing was AWESOME! Most were in the 50'-60' range. Some in 30'-40'. Caught a monster 12 or 13 pounder in 70'. Almost all were bottom oriented. Brought em up slow and quick released all but a few eaters.

Way to go Jimbo! I take it you were jigging? I haven't been able to connect jigging yet ;(

Most were with blade baits but caught 15 or so trolling. Snap weights in front of a crank.

Im headed up in a week. I have never laker fished mid october. What depths are best to target then. I did well in May on a flurescent purple tail dancer. I keep 2 of those in my at box I like them so much. Great for trolling. Will this work in Oct?

Caw

quote mastertangler: "I have zero fall experience in canoe country except a fall brook trout trip. But I have a friend, who shall remain nameless, who went the first week of October. I watched a video of 30 lakers in 30 drops with a white curly tail. He was fishing a mid lake reef in the Quetico which topped out around 15 ft. The fish were obviously gathered to spawn. He has gone twice more, same time frame, and has been unable to replicate that magical success. Much of it due to tough weather conditions.


I'm with Jim. It's probably a bit early to fish shallow. I like his depth frame, sounds about right. I would expect them to be starting to stage however and I would be trolling around mid lake reefs. Electronics might help and if your not getting bit on cranks I would drop jigs or blade baits on them. They might be grouped together so much of the water might seem like a desert. That's my take, just a guess though. Better to get an informed opinion from somebody who has actually "been there, done that". Good luck!"

Was he just using a pearl mister twister curly tail? Was he using a spoon as well?

Bird knows best
There is some discussion concerning the ethics involved of targeting lake trout during their spawn. My understanding is lake trout typically spawn during October and thus the season is closed. I am of mixed mind wether any real damage would occur if catch and release were allowed. Part of me says bah-humbug as the water is cold and the fish are shallow. But the other part of me could probably be convinced rather easily to leave them alone as they are a precious resource.

In any event the lakers spawn on shallow rocky reefs and chew rather voraciously as all that romance builds up an appetite. A white curly tail jig would not be ignored. Barbless would make for a quick release.

But it's a moot point as the season is closed. I guess if a guy was targeting something else and a laker found its way on your line you might be forgiven.