Hi. Will be up in WCPP in early to mid August - my first time. Many of the lakes we will be on have lake trout. I love fresh lake trout and would love to catch a few. Knowing there are not any lake maps and I will not be taking a locator, so will rely on reading the lake from above the surface as best I can, or what I can see below.

What are the best options for having some success catching lake trout this time of the year in WCPP? I assume they will be fairly deep??? Trolling Little Cleos or other spoons with keel weights? Trolling deep diving crank baits? Deep jigging? Anything else?

Thank you for your help.

Mike

Well, at least not many.







And, as you would expect, those few are generally produced by Lodge and/or Cabin operators.







dd

Sorry I can't help you out as I've not fished for lake trout up there.
You might want to contact Harlan at Red Lake Outfitters or Claire at the WCPP Park Office in Red Lake for some insights. Viking Air had a few maps of lakes where they have fly in camps but I don't know if they contain lake trout. Craig or Hugh Carlson at Viking Air might be a resource for you as well.

......Mike

I am not much of a fisherman and only fish to eat. When I am paddling trout waters and want some fish for supper I will attach a 2-4 ounce weight about 8 feet above a lure. I will then troll with various speeds so the lure (usually a five of diamonds Dardvel) will end up at various depths. In August I have been told by the real fishermen in Woodland Caribou to be at 70 feet. Jigging a Kastmaster at this depth is also effective. Don't be surprised if you pull up a whitefish from time to time. In spring and fall I will do the same thing but troll the shoreline in about 20 feet of water. A crude method but it has put Lake Trout in the Gumbo.

quote Marten: "I am not much of a fisherman and only fish to eat. When I am paddling trout waters and want some fish for supper I will attach a 2-4 ounce weight about 8 feet above a lure. I will then troll with various speeds so the lure (usually a five of diamonds Dardvel) will end up at various depths. In August I have been told by the real fishermen in Woodland Caribou to be at 70 feet. Jigging a Kastmaster at this depth is also effective. Don't be surprised if you pull up a whitefish from time to time. In spring and fall I will do the same thing but troll the shoreline in about 20 feet of water. A crude method but it has put Lake Trout in the Gumbo."

Thanks Marten. That is what I figured. And call trolling what you like, but then "crude" is often effective!

I hear dynomite works well also, tie it to your line, light it, and then let the line out fast, and paddle fast.

Hope this helps! :)

SunCatcher

quote SunCatcher: "I hear dynomite works well also, tie it to your line, light it, and then let the line out fast, and paddle fast.


Hope this helps! :)

SunCatcher
"

Yes, fishing with Suncatcher is an experience.

quote nctry: "

quote SunCatcher: "I hear dynomite works well also, tie it to your line, light it, and then let the line out fast, and paddle fast.



Hope this helps! :)


SunCatcher
"

Yes, fishing with Suncatcher is an experience. "

Yeah, a short lived one!

Thanks for the "useful tips" Paul. Hope all is well. See you again in Madison next March.

Glad to be of help!