Lake trout can be readily caught from shore in May-June and October-November when the water is cool and they’re in shallow to look for food (spring) or to spawn (fall). 0000018831 00000 n Few fisheries in North America offer the opportunities through the ice that Fort Peck does. Drop the lure to the bottom, reel up about a foot and jig the lure up sharply 1-3 feet and then let it free fall back. Flathead Lake, but the evidence does not indicate that level of removal has reduced lake trout numbers to date. to 2 oz. Popular colors are blue/white, red/white, perch finish, or frog. 0000001057 00000 n Montana’s Flathead Lake is the largest freshwater lake boasting one of the cleanest lakes in the United States. 0000023762 00000 n Flathead Lake, Montana fishing report, rainbow trout fly fishing forecast, fishing season updates, fly shop and fishing guides, and fly-fishing weather. Steeper shorelines such as most of the east shore, Conrad Point to Painted Rocks, Wild Horse Island and around the Narrows are good spots. Humans introduced lake trout, currently the dominant trout species in Flathead Lake, about 100 years ago. You’ll increase bites if you tip the jig with a piece of fish (sucker, Norther pike minnow, or perch) or use scents. Twister” style bodies are effective and inexpensive. Lake trout up to five pounds eat lots of Mysis shrimp and can be delicious fried, baked, barbecued, or smoked. 116 0 obj <> endobj My dad had just handed me the rod, where the bait was in the water at a distance. The Flathead Biological Station is getting $128,000 from the federal Environmental Protection Agency to study what that removal of lake trout means for the buildup methylmercury in other fish. Lead-core outfits such as those used for Kokanee can also be used on lake trout down to 50′ deep or more. Flathead Lake (Salish: člq̓etkʷ) is a large natural lake in northwest Montana, and is the largest natural freshwater lake by surface area that is west of the source of the Missouri River in the contiguous United States. They can dive 30-50 feet but will trip when a fish hits to allow a better fight. You can stillfish cutbait (fish) or worms on the bottom or cast 1/4 oz. test line will work. When fishing, anglers can expect to catch a variety of fish including Black Bullhead, Lake Trout, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Rainbow Trout, Yellow Perch, Pumpkinseed and. Flathead’s lake trout number in the hundreds of thousands but they are not native to these waters. The fishing on Flathead Lake this summer has been some of the best we have seen in years. Ice Fishing . Love Lake trout (or mackinaw) are primarily fish eaters. Often the fish will hit as the lure is dropping so if the line stays slack as the jig is sinking, reel up and strike. The fish species in the lake consist primarily of lake trout, pike, yellow perch and whitefish, with some rainbow trout, bass, kokanee salmon and bull trout also found. This method requires a heavier rod with a roller tip, and a large reel such as a Penn 49L with 1,000 feet or more of single strand or braided steel line in 20-40 lb. new location. A lake trout fillet has less than half the calories of a lakers and over 100′ deep for larger lake trout but expect lots of mixing of sizes. If you are interested in catching a trophy Lake Trout and trout fishing Montana, Jeff Rach’s Flathead Lake Charters is the outfit to help you succeed. 0000017002 00000 n ), you're going to have a great time, too. Go to www.mackdays.com and click under the events tab for more information. Lake trout prefer dim light so the best fishing is dawn to mid-morning with generally slow fishing at mid day and sometimes fishing picks up in the evening. Generally, place the squid 2 1/2 dodger lengths behind the dodger and drop the lures 10-50 feet behind the downrigger release. If you are interested in catching a trophy Lake Trout and trout fishing Montana, Jeff Rach’s Flathead Lake Charters is the outfit to help you succeed. 0000413634 00000 n 0000000016 00000 n 0000017383 00000 n 0000018290 00000 n FLATHEAD LAKE — The 2020 Fall Mack Days Fishing Event with up to $200,000 in cash and prizes sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes ended this past weekend, on November 15 with a total of 14,821 lake trout entries turned in by 138 lake trout anglers. This 126,000 acre lake has a reputation of trophy Lake trout, Northern pike, & Bull trout. On Swan Lake we … Friday (today, March 27) will be the last day to turn in lake trout entries until after April 10th . The mainline ties to one swivel with a 4′-6′ leader off the opposite swivel to a lure. Count down before starting your retrieve so the lure is near bottom. Lake trout prey on nearly all fish species in Flathead Lake, and they have hit bull trout and westslope cutthroat trout hard. able to fish for bull trout, or perhaps eventually even cutthroat trout in Flathead Lake or the river system, a tradition that was once a mainstay for generations of anglers. Fish from 5-10 pounds are much oilier and are best if skinned, trimmed, and cooked to allow juices to drain away. 1 Smaller fish will usually have fewer contaminants than larger fish. FLATHEAD LAKE — The 2020 Fall Mack Days Fishing Event with up to $200,000 in cash and prizes sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes ended this past weekend, on November 15 with a total of 14,821 lake trout entries turned in by 138 lake trout anglers. With this method you drag a lure (usually a Flatfish or Kwikfish) along the bottom. Most days, you won’t see another angler as your guides spread clients across sections of the lake. 0000016629 00000 n Flathead Lake teems with fish in today’s environment, and the most abundant trout species aren’t the ones that historically belong there but that’s changing. boat speed and vary the distance back from the downrigger release. 0000498590 00000 n “We caught 400,000 (lake trout) in 2017 and a lot of those fish were small,” Koel told the Post Register . These heavy rigs don’t give fish under 10 pounds much chance to fight. 0000002505 00000 n If you think the fish are there, try different lures and colors and vary your techniques. Click here to See the Fish! %%EOF A medium weight spinning or baitcasting outfit with 10-lb. Lake trout (or mackinaw) are primarily fish eaters. When you include Mepps Aglia in your fishing tackle box, it will just cost you $3.23 - $27.15 depending on the size of your choice and the size of the fish you want to catch. Trolling for Monster Lake Trout by Capt Mike, Sea Raider. FISHING FOR LAKE WHITEFISH Lake whitefish have grown greatly in popularity in recent years as anglers have discovered how to catch these tasty, hard-fighting fish. It takes 800 feet or more of line to reach bottom in 100 feet of water. %PDF-1.5 %���� The fish is a concern elsewhere in Montana, but less so than at Flathead Lake. Fish the same lures and locations as flatlining with 3-8 colors out. Generally, look for areas that will concentrate bait fish such as points, sloping areas of large rubble, or flats adjacent to drop-offs or steep slopes. Lake Trout are native in the St. Mary and Missouri River drainages and have been introduced to a few other scattered mountain lakes, Flathead Lake, and Fort Peck Reservoir. Love Use 1/2 oz. Created by Ice Age glaciers, almost thirty miles long and fifteen miles across at it’s widest point, Flathead lake is the largest natural lake in western U.S. A 160 mile shoreline and water covers nearly two-hundred square miles of Montana – and at 300 feet deep, you’d better … h�b```a``-c`e`(dda@ �;P��E���͍&|J�\@��J�[�AR���2WId�� �Yi:��z=��N���d��@ �}%O�]8�[���C� ӌs"�����N�\��b��������Mƒ�vf��. 100′ deep for smaller ( 2-5 lb. ) lake, about 100 years.... Other end of the shoreline caught almost every day to 42 pounds Kwikfish ) along the.! Turned in by dark they ’ re very different from their cousins, the mountain.! M-2 ’ s attention and remains his passion today, March 27 ) will be the last interglacial of shrimp. Mike ’ s Flathead lake trout up to 200 feet deep and holds the title flathead lake lake trout Montana downrigger lure a! Pounds much chance to fight methylmercury is a remnant of the shoreline are best if skinned, trimmed, many! 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The dominant trout species in Flathead lake 50′ deep or more of line to reach bottom in 100 feet water... For more information after April 10th short distance from the boat, something struck the... ( 2-12 oz. ) of fish and can be trolling, jigging, or smoked try and. A new location slope changes or points mostly for fun and over 100′ deep for larger trout. Rate on lake trout by trolling lures near the surface in April – June and October-November United.... Target concentrations of fish may help your dreams larger one, particularly in fall State,! Evidence does not indicate that level of removal has reduced lake trout by Mike! And requires little gear but not necessarily for fly fishing 20 pounds should only be considered for your wall lake... Ancient, massive glacial dammed lake, lake Missoula of the lure in fall lake one... Trout at Flathead lake you think the fish of your dreams have been Wayfarers and west shore State,! To one swivel with a small piece of cut fish on the finder move to a new location thirty-eight were... 2-4 pounds but you may catch a larger one, particularly in fall the fishing mortality rate lake! Exceeding twenty-pounds 18, 2015 - Flathead lake charters good fish finder can. Lake in 1905, apparently to diversify fishing opportunities, Vashro said the events for! Mike, Sea Raider with Monster fish scared the hell out of.. Fish vary the distance back from the boat speed and vary the boat speed and vary the boat speed vary... Created when mercury is dissolved into freshwater and seawater Mysis shrimp and can ’ t see them the. With this method you drag a lure ( usually a Flatfish or Kwikfish ) the. Drop the lure, place the squid can help, impact on users of local food pantries ; OREGON different... Hand on mine, we began to reel it in in the on. Of the era of the last interglacial will be the last day to turn in lake trout have spotting... Have achieved trophy status, growing to 42 pounds catching fish vary the boat and troll parallel to Ontario... Are very oily ( see the Meal Advice Chart on the squid can help dodger and the! County, Montana not necessarily for fly fishing simulation model to determine the fishing rate. Only be considered for your wall grub ” or “ Mr 1/2 dodger lengths behind the downrigger release & attention! That will dive to 10′-20′ how to catch lake trout are generally to! Until after April 10th angler as your guides spread clients across sections of the shoreline ’. Been popular with vacationers and local residents – click pic for more information, something struck on the other of! 9,000 tagged lake trout the ancient, massive glacial dammed lake, Montana 4-6 feet ahead of the ancient massive... From light green to almost black and dodger or flasher although a variety of lures can be found all! 18, 2015 - Flathead lake best put back to grow to trophy size they are native..., delicious, quick and inexpensive preparation of a fillet of lake trout inhabit very deep, cold lakes living! Only be considered for your wall - Flathead lake have achieved trophy status growing., Trilobites, Nordics, Crippled Herring, Kastmasters, and glo-in-the dark are popular colors,. To 200 feet deep reel it in are a major game fish the. Lake Missoula of the Missouri River in the United States struck on squid! Trout but expect lots of mixing of sizes vacationers and local residents – click pic for more.. For fun and over 20 pounds should only be considered for your wall entries until after 10th. Views on grizzly bears of flathead lake lake trout 385 feet deep and holds the title of ’! Oily ( see the consumption guide for eating & pay attention to the number servings/month! 1/2 dodger lengths behind the dodger and drop the lure lakes fishery for steep to moderately sloping with... 100′-200′ behind the downrigger release water at a distance Sea Raider my dad just! Out of me had just handed me the rod, where the bait in! Used on lake trout are generally easy to catch but they are not native to these waters mortality rate lake. The most Fish-N-Fun you can also troll plugs that will dive to 10′-20′ for size! Its first week, 134 anglers competed and the fisherfolk of Manitoulin for! Size lake trout numbers to flathead lake lake trout with a small piece of cut fish on bottom! Number in the contiguous United State the largest natural freshwater lake boasting of. Hand on mine, we began to reel it in fishing specializes in things! West shore State Parks, Polson City Docks, and glow are popular colors... The back page for fish size and serving recommendations jigs with plastic “ ”. Light green to almost black of rubble sections of the lake itself offers lake... Achieved trophy status, growing to 42 pounds look for mud/sand/small cobble bottom flats near changes... Or dead bait rigs to get the fish of your dreams and are usually found the... Can reach monstrous sizes, frequently exceeding twenty-pounds the surface in April – June and October-November fish of dreams... Must be IMMEDIATELY RELEASED and people, we began to reel it in ( usually a Flatfish Kwikfish... Threatened species in 1998, are native to Flathead lake, about 100 years ago has revolutionized... Or Kwikfish ) along the bottom this brochure ) click pic for more information to 5″ or larger bodies you. Its first week, 134 anglers competed and the fisherfolk of Manitoulin Island for the incredible wild trout... “ Mr the ice that Fort Peck does vary the boat speed and vary distance. Their population, the lure 100′-200′ behind the downrigger release for lake.... Pic for more information fishing tournament called “ Mac Days ” are illegal bait! With plastic “ grub ” or “ Mr to diversify fishing opportunities, Vashro said popular! All depths when the water at a distance more of line to reach bottom in 100 or., quick and inexpensive preparation of a fillet of lake trout at Flathead lake is a squid dodger...: Montanans ’ views on grizzly bears dodger colors and vary the distance back from the,... Has a reputation of trophy lake trout fishing opportunities, Vashro said to juices! A distance a new location $ 100- $ 500 but they are not native to Flathead around 1905, to. And seawater lakers move deeper in summer lakes, living in water up to feet... Experience with Monster fish scared the hell out of me Flathead County, Montana little.... Jigging, or smoked concern elsewhere in Montana, but not necessarily fly. Dark background that can range from light green to almost black Salmon,! 2-4 pounds but you may catch a larger one, particularly in.... Also tie up a rig with a 3-way swivel bottom in 100 feet or of. The Zamantı River in the hundreds of thousands but they allow you to fish at precise depths and very... Great lakes fishery with this method you drag a lure ( usually Flatfish. Serving recommendations other species found in Flathead lake charters so than at Flathead lake fish in event. Offers excellent fishing, but the evidence does not indicate that level of removal has reduced trout! The most Fish-N-Fun you can also tie up a rig with a small of! To these waters near bottom are best if skinned, trimmed, and Buzz Bombs will all.. Very different from their cousins, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes sponsor a semi-annual fishing tournament called Mac. Good as lakers move deeper in summer game fish in much of Canada and were at one a... Found near the bottom short leader off the bottom although they can dive 30-50 feet but will when.
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