Hey guys,

Just got back from a great trip with some friends. Went so well that a couple friends and I are planning another trip for July. We really want to make it a short weekend trip targeting lake trout, what do you guys think of finding lake trout in mid-late july? we're mostly in it for numbers/just getting on fish, size not so important. I know the fishing will be harder for them, and not ideal, but would we still get onto fish if we found em? White tube jigs deep, flutter spoons down deep, etc. we definietely want a lake that will have the easiest fishing for them.

Lakers can be an easier target in July. Look for deep water drop offs where the bottom drops from 40' to 70' and troll the edge. A locator is a big help as well as GPS to repeat successful tracks. Don't be afraid to hook on up to 4 ounces of keel sinker to troll deep. At the same time, remember that Lakers will come up to hit your flutter spoon.

Release them fast as there is a higher mortality that time of year.

You just never know where, when, and how , in the summer. I’ve caught them in 30 feet in 90 degree weather, and some trips they are much deeper. It’s a lot of trial and error as to what depth, what lure what color. When you find the pattern you will catch them no matter what the weather throws at you. I’m mostly a base camper, and some trips it may take a couple days to figure a productive method, but with patience, and hard work I seem to find them on most trips. The last trip the only method was trolling as fast as I could move the canoe. Any slower speed would not trigger a strike. It was exhausting, but produced some dandy Lakers .

AmarilloJim: "Release them fast as there is a higher mortality that time of year."

Yes, I recently read that a study showed 97% survival in 55 degree surface water and only a 70% survival in 75 degree surface water when released within 60 seconds. I have no idea how they arrive at those numbers, but if accurate, is a terrible survival rate. I know it is stressful for a laker to fight in water that is a lethal temperature for them(over 70deg) , especially when caught in deep water. The deep water causes them to have to expel air from their air bladders which then takes a long time to replace, thus delaying their ability to get back down to the safer depths and temps. Remember it takes a looong time to grow a decent size laker.