An 8 ½ foot downrigger rod is doubled in half at the transom of a boat working the 150 foot contour in eastern Lake Ontario. At first glance it could be a variety of cold water species tugging on the line. The line counter on the Okuma Convector reads 175 feet and this big fish is struggling to stay near the bottom. After all, the cold temperatures it prefers are located there. A ten minute see-saw battle ensues and finally our fisherman gets to see the quarry that took his offering. This time it’s a giant lake trout that tips the scale at just over 20 pounds and is nearly 38 inches in length. What fisherman can’t get jacked-up over that? Henderson Harbor is the base for this type of fishing activity and the good news is that it happens here all season long. Here’s where and how to tangle with “Giant Lakers”.
There was a time in the 1980s when anglers working the shoreline south of Henderson Harbor would connect on lake trout is shallow water. It was often difficult to target brown trout with so many lake trout competing in the same waters. Years ago, lake trout strains that frequented skinny water during spring fishing were discontinued and anglers no longer fished the lake trout in these areas. Over the last several years, some lake trout have begun to reappear in the shallow waters during the spring fishery.
Lake trout love water temperatures in the low to mid 40’s and many veteran anglers will argue that they are the toughest fish that swims in these temperatures. Body baits and spoon presentations are the best lures trolled from planer board combinations during this period. Cover lots of water at higher trolling speeds to present baits to the largest volumes of fish. Lakers in colder temperatures are super aggressive and it’s not uncommon for them to chase down baits that are trolled in excess of 3 knots. Look for areas of disturbance for the best action on spring lakers. River or stream estuaries will spill turbid waters into Lake Ontario, providing the necessary cover for predator fish to hunt successfully. The aquatic organisms suspended in this flow are also attractive to a multitude of baitfish. When the table is set, you can bank on lakers taking advantage of the smorgasbord.
Shoreline lakers are still not as prevalent as brown trout in shallow water but they can provide an exciting alternative in spring fishing.
Lake Ontario’s Shipping Lanes are renowned for producing king salmon in July, but many anglers may not realize that this area is also the prime destination for lake trout fishing during May and June. Targeting lake trout along the steep southern edge of the Shipping Lane wall is a reliable strategy, as baitfish tend to stack up in this region throughout spring and early summer. These baitfish attract lake trout from across the eastern basin plateau, making concentration crucial when deep trolling along this underwater ravine, as many anglers have lost terminal tackle to the wall’s steep drop-offs.
Once positioned, anglers should utilize electronics to probe the depths for lake trout, which are typically found between 90 to 125 feet along the wall’s contour. It’s advisable to set up in deeper water and pre-load downriggers at the depths where lake trout have been spotted. This method allows for a shallow-angle approach to the wall, ensuring that baits are presented in an optimal position. When a lake trout is hooked, it’s important to navigate away from the wall while playing the fish over deep water. After landing the fish, the riggers can be reset, and the process can be repeated.
A great starting LORAN position is 15871.0/60097.0. Most quality GPS units will convert these LORAN coordinates into usable latitude and longitude. A southwest-to-northeast troll will help keep anglers in contact with the edge of the Shipping Lane, increasing the chances of a successful outing.
From July through September, anglers can find big lake trout throughout the eastern basin, but the underwater structure known as “The Finger” off Stony Point is a must-know spot for any serious lake trout fisherman. A prime LORAN position for this area is 15855.0/60155.0, which corresponds to a depth of 137 feet and is located directly in front of the plateau. This structure is a well-known haunt for large lake trout and serves as an excellent starting point for summer fishing.
To effectively target lake trout, slow trolling with Cowbells and Spin-N-Glo combinations near the bottom is recommended. Typically, subsurface currents will require anglers to fish at speeds below 1.5 knots on the surface. It’s important to remember that larger lake trout tend to be lethargic during the hot summer months and will exert minimal energy to feed. Presenting a slow-spinning bait just in front of their noses can sometimes elicit the desired response from these sluggish giants. By employing these tactics, anglers can increase their chances of hooking into trophy-sized lake trout this summer.
While Lake Ontario is renowned for its exceptional salmon fishery, it also boasts a remarkable lake trout population that is gaining the attention of dedicated anglers. Recently, I had the pleasure of speaking with John Distaffen of Northern King Lures, who has observed a significant increase in interest among fishermen targeting lake trout. For years, Northern King has been a leading producer of spoons for salmon fishing on Lake Ontario, and now they are expanding their offerings to cater to lake trout enthusiasts.
Over the past three years, the demand for quality lake trout gear has surged, prompting Northern King to introduce their line of Northern King Lake Trolls, affectionately known as “Cowbells.” These Lake Trolls feature five-inch willow blades and a 30-inch leader with connection points at each end. Crafted in the U.S.A. from durable materials, they are designed to withstand the rigors of heavy fishing pressure. Distaffen reports that interest in this product line has tripled in just three years, and the company now offers a dozen different color schemes. This variety is particularly advantageous for deep trollers like me who prefer to color-coordinate their tackle.
In addition to Northern King, the Yakima Bait Company offers Wobble Trolls and Spin-N-Glo’s that are popular among lake trout fishermen, especially when paired with Cowbells. Available in two sizes—one inch and one and a quarter inches—the Wobble Trolls have been successfully utilized by the Saiff Charter team in their pursuit of lake trout. Their side-to-side shaking action mimics the movement of deep-water sculpin, one of the primary forage fish for lake trout.
While the Cowbells attract the trout, the Wobble Troll is responsible for securing the bite. Over the years, the Saiff fleet has continuously refined their approach, currently running their Wobble Trolls and Spin-N-Glo’s 32 inches behind the attractor for optimal results. This combination of effective lures is essential for anglers seeking success on Lake Ontario’s rich waters.
While Spin-N-Glo lures may lack the side-to-side shaking action of a Wobble Troll, their rotating wings prove to be equally effective. Available in an overwhelming array of colors and sizes, Spin-N-Glo’s can cater to virtually any fishing scenario. A popular tactic among eastern basin anglers is to mix and match different sizes and colors to create customized trolling combinations. For optimal performance, use number 4 or number 2 hardened trebles behind these baits. Remember, a large lake trout doesn’t always go for big bait, so quality hooks are essential for securing a connection to these giants.
Lake Ontario is known for producing lake trout over 20 pounds, with some impressive catches reported from Henderson Harbor during the summer months. Notably, one massive laker caught aboard Captain Scott Lennox’s boat weighed in at over 38 pounds. Lake trout are a slow-growing, cold-water species, capable of living up to 60 years, which means there are plenty of sizable fish in these waters. The future looks promising for trophy hunting, and practicing catch and release for these magnificent lakers will help cultivate a trophy fishery that anglers across North America will envy. It’s time for lake trout to reclaim their rightful place as a premier target in Lake Ontario angling.
Capt. Bill Saiff III owns and operates the Saiff Charter Fleet in Henderson Harbor, NY. For more information, visit the team online at BillSaiffOutdoors.com.
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