Minnows

[Riverrat]

I have been advised at the Toronto Show that for sure this year we cant use frozen minnows of any kind

[puckster_guy]

Cool That opens up some new options, especially for lakers and pike........  OOOPs I thought that read can rather then cant

[jbsmitty]

Believe it when I see it

[Smitty]

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.

[T-Bone]

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. 

[RickOnt]

T-Bone  Good question  But I think 'parts'  of dead baitfish would not be allowed

[Jay Thomas]

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

[puckster_guy]

I think I'll stick to beer and drowning worms

[Greg]

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 ....

[mcsteve]

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.

[RHYBAK]

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.

[RickOnt]

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

[fishtildark]

 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.

[Riverrat]

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

[SgtCrabby]

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.