MACKINAW LAKE TROUT FISHING

Mackinaw Lake Trout

Mackinaw Lake Trout are a highly sought after fish species to target. They grow to an enormous size where they can grow to over 70 pounds, and any Mackinaw caught over thirty pounds is a real respectable trophy, and does happen pretty frequently. They are fun to fish for, even more fun to catch, and have a real delicious flavor if you decide to bring some home for dinner.

Mackinaw Lake Trout Fishing Guides

There are many different fishing guides that offer guided fishing trips for Mackinaw Lake Trout, and pretty much any other fish that you may want to target. FishingBooker is a service of local guides that you can choose from and schedule your next guided fishing trip. If you would like to learn the fishing secrets and tips from a local fishing guide, Book A Mackinaw Lake Trout Fishing Guide Today!

Trolling for Mackinaw Lake Trout

• Dodger / Flasher - Medium to Large Silver Dodger • Depth - 30 ft to 150 ft • Location - Deep Water • Lure - Imitation Minnow Stickbaits, Spoons, Flatfish • Fish Attractant - Live Minnow Scent

Mackinaw Lake Trout Largest Fish Caught

The world record sized Mackinaw Lake Trout ever caught, as per the International Game Fish Association, was caught in 1995 and it weighed in at 72 pounds. It was caught in Great Bear Lake, in the Northwest Territories in Canada. Thought there was an unofficial Mackinaw that weighted in at 102 lbs.

How To Catch A Big Mackinaw Lake Trout

There are many different ways to catch those big Lakers ranging from top lining the regular trout gear and a worm or minnow to downrigging the deep water with a dodger or J plug to long lining a Rapala or AC plug to Jigging the depths with a Gibbs minnow or torpedo or even a minnow. We have caught macs using every technique we know and have a great time no matter which method we use. Minnows are only allowed to be used in the lakes in the Tahoe basin. You may only use the minnows caught from the lake you are fishing and may not transport them to other lakes. Read your local Regulations before using any live bait.

Mackinaw Lake Trout Fishing in the Fall

Late fall to late spring the action seems to be on top. Top lining a Rapala f-18 or an AC plug will produce fish this time of year but later in the season you will need to get down deep for the fish.

Mackinaw Lake Trout Fishing in the Summer

Early summer to fall the Macs are down deep feeding on tiny freshwater shrimp. They will take your bait if presented in front of them. Watch your sonar for fish right on the bottom and slow troll through them. The fish will be stacked up in areas where there are drop offs and ledges. I like to use a large dodger with a 14-18 inch leader with a size 4 steelhead or salmon hook and a small minnow. Your bait does not need to be alive. You can use scent and the action of the dodger will make the minnow move around even if it's dead. Anything from swimbaits to J-plugs can also be affective on the wire. If you don’t have downriggers you can set up a 3 way swivel with a short dropper line to an 8 or 10 oz. lead ball to reach the depths.

Mackinaw Lake Trout Fishing Lures - Spoons

Mackinaw Lake Trout Fishing Lures - Flatfish

About The Author Mike Mendenhall is the the founder of Mendenhall Outdoors. This website is an extension of the Mendenhall family’s lifestyle and passion for the great outdoors. Everything that they learn, and experience, along the way that they find may be valuable to our website visitors is on the site for you to enjoy. We highlight products and services that you might find interesting. We frequently receive free products from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. If you click a link on this page, then go on to make a purchase, we might receive a commission – at no extra cost to you, and does not impact the purchase price of any products that you may purchase. The Best Mackinaw Lake Trout Fishing Experience Awaits!