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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Trip Planning Forum :: Late fall lake trout with my own boat
 
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AmarilloJim
09/03/2020 01:59PM
 
They are usually pretty deep in Sept.
 
tcoeguy
09/03/2020 01:11PM
 
I am very inexperienced as a lake trout fisherman. I go to the bwca every year and have never targeted lake trout. I plan on doing a mid May trip in 2021, as I hear that is the best time of year to catch them because they are in shallow water.

I am wondering if they also move in shallow in the late fall. If I were to head up in the fall, it would probably be just me and my small boat with 9.5HP motor. Here are my questions:

1) Do the lake trout move into shallower water in the late fall making them easier to catch? Enough so that I could just troll or cast and retrieve to catch them?

2) If they do, what time in the fall should I shoot for?

3) Any lake suggestions? I would prefer to stay overnight at a reasonably priced cabin on a lake that allows for my boat and has an access.

Bonus question) Any ideas for where to go in mid-May next spring? That would be an actual 5-ish day canoe in adventure with my usual group of friends that go every year.

Thanks for any info you have! Happy paddling to everyone
 
AmarilloJim
09/03/2020 01:58PM
 
LT season closes Oct 1
 
tcoeguy
09/03/2020 02:00PM
 
That is very useful information. That shows how little I know about lake trout fishing. I will focus my energy on a spring 2021 trip then.
 
inspector13
09/03/2020 02:23PM
 

Lake Trout spawn in the late fall when water temps drop to about 50F. That’s probably why the season closes by then.



 
CStoke
09/03/2020 02:54PM
 
Any LT fishing tactics specific to September?
 
thegildedgopher
09/04/2020 10:04AM
 
tcoeguy -- You might consider a lake like Gunflint Lake in September. The vast majority of the day use motor permits on the good LT lakes are booked at the end of the season -- they really limit those numbers over the last couple weeks it seems. Gunflint Lodge and Outfitters is not in the BWCA, but it's right on the trail and I bet you could troll up some lakers over a couple days. With a boat that small you can also get into the connecting non-BW lakes as well. I bet the outfitters has a "canoer cabin" available.


Also on the trail and non-BW is West Bearskin for lake trout. Nice little easy access right near Clearwater Lodge.
 
AmarilloJim
09/03/2020 03:08PM
 
I troll deep crankbaits (40'-60').
 
CStoke
09/03/2020 03:18PM
 
AmarilloJim: "I troll deep crankbaits (40'-60'). "


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