Top 3 Lures for Catching Lake Trout in Canoe Country | Spoons, Jigs and Crankbaits

[@glenfiance4305]

Excellent! There are many videos where you watch someone catch fish after fish. But you’re one of the few that spends the time to cover bait, tackle and methods for catching each species. I’m hooked, and have made my shopping list of the things I need before my trip in September. Nice work!

[@therealfarwater]

Thanks for the kind words! I started this channel to help others learn...mostly because of my frustration while I was first learning - very few resources out there 10-15 years ago.

[@miksretirementadventures9795]

I've been a Walleye/Perch guy for the last 25+ years. I used to L.akers in Quetico and BWCA before that. Retirement is soon approaching I will definitely be headed back to the BWCA. Your video is much appreciated. Thanks so much. Brian

[@therealfarwater]

Awesome! That’s great to hear.

[@eduffy4937]

Hey Brian!

[@timschwarze4842]

Thanks so much for sharing! I appreciate you not just showing catching fish, but actually giving information that we can take with us.

[@therealfarwater]

You’re welcome! Happy to share the knowledge to ensure others are successful on their backcountry fishing trips!

[@kattalasso]

Love your videos. Thanks for sharing your insight. If you ever get bored during a cold winter season and need an idea for a video, one interesting angle might be "How to plan for and catch lake trout when you don't have a fish finder" or something along those lines. In most of your videos you appear to be using a fish finder, but a lot of us don't have them or want to carry the weight in. You might go through what you'd do in terms of selecting and researching the lake(s) and their topography, what lures you'd take, what areas of the lake you'd target, your approach, weather variables, etc. Could be very interesting. You have the experience for it!

[@therealfarwater]

Thanks for the idea! Generally speaking, most of these methods don’t require a sonar: trolling, drift jigging, vertical jigging, casting from shore work just fine without a sonar. I prefer to use one so I maximize my time fishing productive water with the limited time I’ve got to fish. Before sonar, I used to go the route of printing out laker topography maps, but found they are limited or wildly inaccurate.

[@aaronalto3034]

Hi Eric: Aaron here from Grand Rapids. We just saw Abby B the old art teacher, and you came up, and she mentioned your back surgery or something like that. Really hope you are doing ok. I'm almost 57 and have been more delicate in the lower back and freaking about losing my capacity for adventures. Hope you get all your capacities back and can continue to play in the wilds. Best. PS- didn't find anywhere else to message you, so here it is.

[@therealfarwater]

Hey Aaron! Abby is wonderful; I am sad that she is no longer in Ely. Thank you for your concern, I really appreciate it. I slipped a disc in my lower back back in Sept 2021 and thought it was just a muscle strain. Another two years of abuse and neglect and I aggravated it on a long Quetico trip last July. The disc was bulged badly enough that it was pinching my sciatic nerve and causing leg pain and numbness, which apparently can become permanent if not addressed. We decided to go with surgery - lower lumbar microdiscectomy - in late August and I am still not 100% (it'll be 5 months since surgery tomorrow). To make matters worse, I slipped on the ice chasing Lake Trout on opening weekend and broke a rib! Getting old (I'm only 37, too young for this shit) is more difficult than I expected. I will be ready in time for paddling season, but I am definitely going to have to reassess how much I ask of my body on these trips. It's going to be difficult to slow down and take it easy, but I need to avoid a situation where this happens again in the future. Take it easy with your back - you've only got one. It's better to go on these trips at 1/2 speed than not at all. Thanks again for reaching out!

[@aaronalto3034]

Nice to hear you are on your way back to some normalcy, but so ugly too, to hear of your struggles. That slip and rib break sounds terrible, and must have been such a fluke with snow on the ice now. Was getting goose bumps reading your account of reassessing your capacities, being you're so young compared to me, as I'm on the same bus. Sucks to have to throttle back, but one can never forget to be grateful for what one has had, and still has too. Best to you on your recovery. I'm going in to a PT soon, and sort of scared, but hopeful too. So sucky always having back delicateness banging around in ones pathetic (mine at least) brain when one is so used to having big capacities for fun and adventures. Take care. @@therealfarwater

[@iHeNrYdyLLa]

Thanks for the video, this helped a lot last weekend when we were fishing for trout on Gillis and Tuscarora. 23 Lakers in 3 days. surprisingly I was also catching them on a Ripping Rap.

[@therealfarwater]

So happy to hear it! I’ve never had luck with lakers on ripping raps, I’ll have to tie them on more often as I know they are a popular bait for them

[@dennisley7246]

Finally, a decent presentation. Thanks. I’ve never fished for Trout before; starting this year I will be though (I presently have 3 trips planned - I might just see you up there…).

[@therealfarwater]

You’re welcome! Trout can be fickle, but if you stick to it and use these methods and baits, you’ll figure it out. Once you hook your first big trout, you’ll never look back!

[@airmorse]

Bingo!!! Excellent video. I always love your videos. Thanks for this one.

[@therealfarwater]

Thank you for your support! And you’re welcome!

[@ContryStyleCanada]

The best and more honest video

[@therealfarwater]

No BS from me!

[@SavageVoyageur]

Use a Rapala Deep Tail Dancer in the Purpledescent color. Purple is the last color to disappear in the color spectrum. When fishing deep, if the fish can still see the lure they will hit it.

[@therealfarwater]

Yup! I’ve caught plenty of lakers on the purpledescent tail dancer, it’s the second one I mention when I talk about my favorite cranks

[@glynnnelson2588]

Awesome videos, very informative. If you ever want to try something new, I highly reccomend the Williams Wabler and Len Thompson in the spoon department and the Sebile Vibrato in the jigging department. Cheers!

[@therealfarwater]

Thanks for the ideas! I’ve got a few vibratos I’ve tried with no luck, I just need to fish them more.

[@differentfins]

Solid top 3 pick for lakers. I am hoping to do some trolling with spoons on the North side of Quetico next weekend. I just checked the ice conditions at Nym lake. It's ice covered but the ice is dark and free of snow. There are warm sunny days in the forecast this week so fingers crossed 🤞🎣🛶

[@therealfarwater]

It really is going to come down to the wire! Trolling spoons right after ice out for shallow lakers is a blast - hopefully they'll be shallow and biting. Have fun!

[@terryolson2742]

Great tips , thank you . Looking forward to my next trips

[@therealfarwater]

Have fun stay safe!!

[@lukezika]

I’ve had good luck trolling with a 2.5/3 Oz bottom bouncer and 6’ fluoro leader once the lakers are deeper. Thanks for posting.

[@therealfarwater]

I used 2oz bottom bouncers when I first started and they worked just fine. My main complaint is they are a little bulky (extra drag in the water) which makes it harder (more line) to get down to depth. They are also very large and visible in the water-I’m wondering if that spooks fish??

[@lukezika]

I’m not sure. I’ve actually wondered if they attract lakers…both my dad and I use bright orange bouncers. We’ve caught quite a few trolling, but we Definitely prefer jigging. Tough to beat hooking into a laker with a jig out of a canoe!

[@therealfarwater]

@@lukezika agreed! We vertical jigged them with tubes in super deep water last fall and had a blast. On a calm day, we paddled around a deep basin looking for schools of baitfish on the sonar. We’d get hit almost immediately after dropping down on them and jigging

[@AaronAbrahamson-u8x]

Could you please do a video on the differences of a Vexilar vs hummingbird when ice fishing? I need help.

[@therealfarwater]

Only if you come up to Ely and we go fishing together this winter…and bring a vexilar

[@Eyetime30.5]

Nicely done! Thank you!!

[@therealfarwater]

You’re welcome!

[@KMayTheGreat]

Love your videos. Great content and very informative. I appreciate your tips and it helped me land my first Lake Trout out of Crooked Lake a couple years ago during the fire ban on a hot July day. I am heading out into the BWCA through East Bearskin next week and am curious if you have any experience fishing Lakers in that area (West Pike Lake, Crystal Lake, Alder Lake, Pine Lake)? I know those lakes all house lakers but am trying to maximize my potential.. Keep up the good work!!

[@therealfarwater]

Wait, what? You caught a laker on crooked? Also, yes, I took a winter trip to West Pike, Clearwater and Mountain Lakes : Chasing Lake Trout Ice Fishing and Winter Camping in the Boundary Waters Part 1 kzbin.info/www/bejne/f3-sqWampZqaebc

[@therealfarwater]

Also did a quick day trip to Pine a couple of years ago: Lake Trout Redemption: Big Trout and Monster Pike Spring Ice Fishing kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZ3GlJmDqcx8bMU

[@KMayTheGreat]

@@therealfarwater we caught two lakers on Crooked and missed about 4 others.. not very big around 18-20 inches i would say. I was not expecting to have much luck in the middle of July but sure enough we got a bit lucky.

[@therealfarwater]

@@KMayTheGreat I’ve never heard of anyone catching lakers on crooked! Congrats. The DNR lists them as a species in the lake but they never survey any in their nets…I guess now we know!

[@therealfarwater]

@@KMayTheGreat 514? Is that a paddle planner site number? Voyageur maps? Don’t see one numbered 514

[@SuniSydeOfShade]

This is more of a gear related question. How do you portage with your fish finder setup? Do you pack it up or do you carry everything still mounted to your canoe? Thanks in advance.

[@therealfarwater]

It collapses easily so I pack it up for portages. Since it’s all on one side of the boat it would throw off the balance.

[@wormfighter1]

Getting snags in the BWCA; I think I’ve got over a hundred dollars in lures on the bottom of BWCA lakes. Hell last year I got my canoe anchor stuck on lake Agnes. Don’t know if it’s still there today. Great video!

[@therealfarwater]

Haha, yup! I don’t even want to guess how much money worth of tackle I’ve lost in the BW. Looks like it’s time to switch to a drift sock! Can’t get those snagged!

[@rowanmcglasson688]

Hey, get vid once again. Heading to EP 55 through Seagull outfitters in 4 weeks to hit the Gijikiki loop to primarily target LT. Our dates will be June 22nd-27th. I understand everything depends on the weather/ how quick the water temp warms and you mentioned that mid June is when they go deeper, but with the late ice out this year would you guess the LT are still in their springtime spots, and I should expect to focus shallow water, or do they typically move deeper in late June? Thanks

[@therealfarwater]

By that time frame they likely won’t be any shallower than 30’ with the surface temps hitting the upper 60s. I’d focus on vertical jigging with jigging raps, bucktails and tube jigs and bring deep diving crankbaits and trolling weights with spoons. Focus on shallower water/shorelines in the morning and deeper water during the daytime

[@rowanmcglasson688]

@@therealfarwater Thanks again!

[@Joecarp94]

Hoping to catch some lakers at snowbank tomorrow on pearl tube jigs.

[@therealfarwater]

Tube jigs are great for lakers on snowbank! Good luck!

[@Joecarp94]

3 eelpouts, 2 walleyes and a 12 inch laker. Started off with tube but think it was to big of a tube jig for the little lakers (maybe). Went to a plain jigs with ciscos on it. That was the ticket. Really was shocked by the fish didn’t wanna chase jiggin rap. Can’t complain with getting action on the rod but really would have took lakers instead. Your videos are awesome btw!

[@skhateanddestroy1252]

Great advice, thanks!!

[@therealfarwater]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@spencer1854]

Hey Eric- I wanted to take my dad on a fall 4 day/3 night trip this fall, prolly late September. Was looking for a moderately easy route and to target lake trout at least one day. Any recommendations for an entry point/trout lake to visit?

[@therealfarwater]

Most of my experience is over here on the west side of the BWCA out of Ely, which has limited easy-access lake trout lakes. Trout Lake and Snowbank are the easiest to access. Trout requires a tow or long 3-5 mile paddle across Vermilion, which is not ideal for most. Snowbank is a motorized border lake. If you’re willing to push a little further, Loon Lake, Oyster, Knife, Ima are good options, but probably pushing it for most in 3-4 days. The gunflint side has a lot more trout lakes that are much easier to access: Seagull/Alpine, Saganaga, Clearwater/west pike/Mountain and Pine. Sorry, my knowledge on the Gunflint side is limited-I’d reach out to the folks at Tuscarora or Seagull Outfitters. Best of luck!

[@spencer1854]

Very helpful- thank you!!​@@therealfarwater

[@BlakeThompson-ht4fi]

Quick question- coming from a beginner- if we are heading to the gunflint area of BWCA in mid September, would you recommend running a snap weight with these lures to get increase depth? Or do you prefer inline over snap for any specific reason? I only have a single rod. Thanks! Have learned a lot from watching your videos.

[@therealfarwater]

So sorry, didn’t see this comment. In-line is the only way to go in the BWCA/Quetico because of the snags you’ll encounter. If you were trolling exclusively over super deep water and had no chance of hitting bottom, snap weights work just fine. If you’re trying to find structure and drag baits over reefs, in-line weights get snagged far less often - I address this question at the end of the video with my “pro-tips.” I took snap weights on one trip to the BWCA and immediately lost all three-not making that expensive mistake again.

[@brentkelly5445]

ty for the info. if your leader is 25 , what is your main line?

[@therealfarwater]

@@brentkelly5445 25lbs for trolling and 15-20 for jigging

[@williammarkes1667]

Great video. Do you recommend the 3.5” or 4.5” Doctor Spoons for those shallower early season trout?

[@therealfarwater]

It really depends on the lake you will be fishing. If it contains cisco, go for the 4.5" size (my preference), if not, and the trout are feeding on smaller baits (suckers, shiners, chubs, etc.) go for the smaller 3.5". I'd recommend Little Cleos as the smaller spoon and the larger Dr. Spoon as your bigger. That way you cover both sizes but have two baits with two completely different actions.

[@williammarkes1667]

Very helpful, thanks for the reply!

[@therealfarwater]

@@williammarkes1667 you’re welcome

[@eduffy4937]

My favorite 3: 1) doctor spoon for trolling/casting 2)sebile vibrato 1/2oz-1oz vert jigging 3)xrap deep blue/chrome

[@therealfarwater]

Nice! I think you and another commenter have just convinced me to bring my vibrato along for my opener trip!

[@eduffy4937]

@@therealfarwater If I'm jigging or casting and rip jigging it's by far my number 1 go to man. They give off an insane amount of vibration cast a mile, and they fish heavy which helps in the wind toss the drift sock out and pump away . The ghost color is best for me. On knife mountain, Duncan, llc, and pine lakes there is no other lure I want to fish more .

[@eduffy4937]

@@therealfarwater you guys headed to knife for opener again or out to basswood?

[@therealfarwater]

@@eduffy4937 back to Lac La croix!!

[@eduffy4937]

@@therealfarwater thattaboy. Perhaps I will bump into ya out there. I'll be headed out of crane for this trip. Taking Andersons shuttle.

[@theobirkholz]

Are we getting any ice fishing videos soon? Noticed you havent posted in a few months.

[@therealfarwater]

I am currently working on spring/summer fishing trips and projects from last year-I am hoping to post my epic Quetico trip starting this weekend or next so stay tuned. This winter has been a tough one for me. I had back surgery in August to repair a badly slipped disc, which took longer to recover than anticipated. I also fell on the ice trout opening weekend 4 weeks ago and fractured a rib. With the poor weather and late ice I wasn’t able to get out until mid-January and my season has been very limited (no winter camping) as a result of those injuries. I’ll try my best to get a few ice fishing videos posted but I might just move on to summer content so I can get back to posting more regularly. Thanks for reaching out, I appreciate the support

[@theobirkholz]

@@therealfarwater Sorry to hear of your health/injuries, that's always a bummer. As for content, I'm tuned in to whatever you post. I'm planning a trip to snowbank for lakers in a week or so wish me luck.

[@therealfarwater]

@@theobirkholz I’ve been hitting Snowbank pretty hard since opener. Trout have been finicky, most caught on white tubes jigged 10-35’ off bottom in 55-65’ of water right away in the morning until about noonish. It seems they love the sunshine as I’ve struggled the most on cloudy days. The burbot bite is also heating up as they are feeding like crazy getting ready for their spawn in a couple of weeks. 30-60’ is where we’ve been finding them. Big glow spoons or glow tubes with meat on them smashed on the bottom and jigged very slowly has been the ticket!

[@theobirkholz]

@@therealfarwater Got back last night, I ended up getting 3 lake trout, all on saturday. 21", 12" and 24" (my new pb).They were all tight to the bottom, in about 70 fow. All came on white tube jigs tipped with smelt (from arrowhead outdoors of course). You were right they love the sun, all of our trout came when the sun was shining.

[@therealfarwater]

@@theobirkholz very nice! Glad you got into some fish. I’m hoping to get out at least one more day before the ice starts breaking up. If we get that 4-8” of snow forecasted tomorrow, we might be able to fish through the end of March, if not I think we’ll see a crazy early ice out, potentially in the next 3-4 weeks, which would be unfortunate

[@robertunderwood7526]

How can we book you to guide us? Let me know. Thanks! 🙏🏻

[@therealfarwater]

Haha, unfortunately I don’t guide as I have a day job and lack the certifications. Perhaps some day