The wife and I are planning a trip to Thomas the week after opener. Neither of us have any experience fishing for lakers.
Any suggestions on depth and tackle/presentation would be greatly appreciated .

Go to google and search, Lake Trout bwca.com, you’ll find plenty of great content on this topic.

Simply, troll a floating rapala, tail dancer, or husky jerk in 10-30’ of water around drop-offs and reefs, all over the lake really. Trolling silver spoons and little Cleo’s work great too.

Jig bucktails, snap-raps, and jig-raps when they mark on your sonar. Jigging spoons works for suspended fish.

Or better, I could just come do the fishing for you.

Good luck out there.

Troll shorelines with a flutter spoon and a little weight, just enough to keep the bait from dragging on the surface. Early season lakers can be in very shallow water. Enjoy a paddle around the lake paying special attention to areas near moving water.

What consistently works for me in May: Shad Rap, floating Rapala with inline weight, or spoon with a swivel. Trolling sloping shorelines with drop offs and over shelfs. Oftentimes will catch paddling across a lake going from one portage to another. Depth of catch is typically 10 ft or less.

if your a bit inexperienced , gear up like your going after quality pike ,(MONO #10-#14 test)(( POWER PRO BRAID #15(diameter of #5) is super smooth with some great hang time)))should get the job done. but you dont necessary need to use a steel leader , spoons and little cleos are a favorite - count down rapalas - medium to deep diving cranks baits work well too. a week after opener unless theres a massive warm up you should catch lakers from shore or following the shoreline , what you see above the water line is generally what you'll see below the water line.
best of luck ;)

Thank you all for the help!

83Gruman: "Thank you all for the help!"

Be sure to post a picture of your success!!

Early season lakers are dead easy! There is no easier fish to catch anywhere anytime.

1. Troll everywhere. Always. When you are travelling for the day, all day.
2. Troll J-11s which won't twist your line. Chartreuse is particularly effective. If you slow down, troll spoons. Every type and colour, they will all work.
3. Long leads, no weight.
4. Rocky points, shoals, saddles between islands, any type of structure, anywhere the wind is hammering the shoreline.

5. If any questions, see above!