I have been advised at the Toronto Show that for sure this year we cant use frozen minnows of any kind
Cool That opens up some new options, especially for lakers and pike........ OOOPs I thought that read can rather then cant
Believe it when I see it
Believe it - I spoke with a bait shop in Quebec - and here was the response.
"No minnows at all, Game Wardens were in about a month ago and said they will be handing out big fines if people are caught with any minnows, check out the MFFP sport fishing website, it is there"
https://mffp.gouv.qc.ca/english/publications/online/wildlife/fishing-regulations/general-regulations/bait-fish.asp
Only allowed for ice fishing.
Does that include 'cut bait' or whatever they call it where you use "parts" of a fish? Like cut-up herring for lakers...??? I think it's herring...I don't know...I don't fish for lakers. :P
T-Bone Good question But I think 'parts' of dead baitfish would not be allowed
From Quebec's Regulations for Sportfishing:
The use of DEAD bait-fish (including dead shrimp and dead smelt) is prohibited from April 1st, 2017
In waters where baitfish is permitted, it is prohibited to use and have in one’s possession for use as bait the following species, whether live or dead, whole or cut up:
Bass
Brown bullhead
Channel catfish
White perch
Crucian carp
Pike
Redhorse
Panfish
Walleye
Sturgeon
Channel darter
Round goby
Lamprey
Mooneye
Goldeye
Longnose gar
Burbot
Freshwater drum
Muskellunge
Char
Yellow perch
Bowfin
Salmon
Tench
Lake trout
I think I'll stick to beer and drowning worms :)
Very interesting change. Last year they changed from 55cm to 65cm and catching a keeper was that much harder (I'm not slamming the decision - whatever it takes to protect the fishery) and now the use of minnows. For years, at least once every trip I have tried one fake lure (plastic, swim bait, whatever I had in the tackle box) and I have never caught any lake trout on anything other than a minniow (either in whole or in part). So the question is now ... What have others used with any success? Spoons? Certain brand of plastics? Swim bait? Plastic lure? Any suggestions welcome ....
When I have been there during opening week I have had success trolling spoons in the shallower water (5-12 ft) as it warms in the morning but apart from that all of my lakers have been caught on minnows and cut herring.
Minnows?... Minnows?... What are Minnows.
Never used them on Kipawa and never thought of using them.
Leeches and worms...That's it.
I have caught lake Trout trolling with Reef Runners and deep diving Rapala's.
No bait.
I have not used bait while lake trout trolling in over 25 years.
Spoons and body baits have worked fine for me in the Muskoka's.
Early spring flatling body baits
Later in the year, as I don't have downriggers, it would be jigging with a swimbait or spoon.
For the jigging to be successful ya need good electronics to keep you over fish
I wonder if the Berkeley power minnows will be next to bite the dust?? Greg, as to a substitute , agree with many of suggestions already made like Rapalas and spoons. My go to lure has been the Canadian wiggler. hollow brass and gets fairly deep without additional weight.
I'm off a local shop to check my fake minnow options The problem with some of the rubber minnows is they will spin when trolling behind the gang troll at lower depths
Quote from: RHYBAK on April 11, 2017, 07:21:04 AM
Minnows?... Minnows?... What are Minnows.
Never used them on Kipawa and never thought of using them.
Leeches and worms...That's it.
I have caught lake Trout trolling with Reef Runners and deep diving Rapala's.
No bait.
I have not used bait while lake trout trolling in over 25 years.
Spoons and body baits have worked fine for me in the Muskoka's.
I must agree with RHYBAK : I've also never used minnows in the Kipawa area (but I have thought about it).
My lake trout has been caught on rattle traps and worms.
Didn't see herring on that list. Guess I'm good. ::)
Quote from: T-Bone on April 11, 2017, 10:09:22 PM
Didn't see herring on that list. Guess I'm good. ::)
That's perfect!! Think I have a couple in freezer... let one of the guys dangle one for a big laker.
Not to burst your bubble fellows, but the law is all bait fish. Herring included. Better double check before you bring those on your trip. Wardens will be checking everyone. Certainly would spoil your fishing vacation!
I've had good success using the following methods: Early season when trout are feeding on or near the surface, down to 15 feet, I flat line using my med. spinning rod, 12-15 lbs. mono, 5 foot, 12 lb. flourocarbon leader. To this I attach either a Williams Wabler W60 or W70 in Silver on sunny days, and Gold on overcast days. I use a Rapala knot to get the maximum action out of the lure. Also had good results with Rapala DHJ 10 or 12 in Silver and Blue. Once the lakers go deep, I go to my trolling rod, an 8 foot Shimano med/heavy action, with a Daiwa line counter reel. 250 yards of 30 lbs test mono or braid if you prefer to which I attach a dipsy diver, deep sixer, or a banana weight, then a Dave Davis gangtroll, 36-48 inches of 20lbs. test flourocarbon leader material, and finally a Live Target rainbow smelt banana bait, again tied on with a Rapala knot. This gives the lure maximum action. Once I mark fish I'll let out the amount of line I think will get me in the vicinity of the fish, based on 55 years of chasing Lakers, then I'll attach my Fish Hawk temperature and depth finder and send it down the line. Now I have to bring in the line to retrieve the Fish Hawk, check if for depth and water temperature and make my adjustment for the depth I want to run at using my line counter. The fish Hawk measures water temp. every 5 ft. as it goes down the line and also records the final depth where it stopped against your snap swivel. This allows you to fish at a depth relative to temperature or the depth you mark fish atdepending on preference . Lakers have a preferred temp., of between 48 & 52 degrees F. This also happens to be the temp., that Ciscos, Smelt, and Whitefish prefer. As with any species, if they don't take your offerings, change up. I also use Williams Wablers, Sutton spoons, and Rapalas in different color patterns until I get some action, or until the cooler is empty. Tight lines.
Hey Captain Hali
Great info, thanks for sharing. The right techniques will have positives results. Happy fishing! Good luck everyone, should be an awesome season! I know I am anxious!
Great info Hali!!
I'm not a troller by choice or boredom but fully understand your setup and that's a great game plan anywhere for lakers.
We finally got our 9.9 kicker running so trolling may be an option if I get a week up on the island this summer.
Just traded an electric trolling motor for a 6hp Johnson, will be a good troller on a 14 or 16ft tinner. So many good spots close to us and great for a guest boat etc.
What if we have a jar of pickled herrings in our cabin and the Warden finds them?
Will he ask for a helping or will he charge me for having bait fish?
Or anything like sardines?
(neighbor when I was a kid ate sardines while fishing)