As the sun rises above the evergreens framing the mountain pond, and the morning mist begins to lift, a fisherman gently pushes his canoe into the tranquil waters, ready to troll for trout. The only others fishing there are a family of mergansers and a mink bobbing along the shoreline. The angler rests his rod beside him and gently paddles his canoe along the shoreline in ever-tightening circles towards the deeper water in the center of the pond. The sound of blue jays or perhaps the chatter of a red squirrel is the only other sound on this summer morning as the fisherman trolls the tannin-stained water in search of trout.
Summer Trout Prefer Deep, Cool, Well-Oxygenated Water
While many anglers might prefer to fly fish or cast spinners for brook trout, the reality of summer trout fishing is that you must usually target deeper, cooler, and well-oxygenated waters where the fish are found. For many Adirondack anglers, this means slowly paddling on a pond, searching for active trout in their comfort zone.
Secrets of the Lake Clear Wabbler for Trout Fishing
The traditional method for trolling involves circling the pond while gradually moving your lure deeper as you head toward the center. Some anglers accomplish this using a sinking tip fly line with streamers or Wooly Buggers. However, most anglers tend to rely on the old Adirondack standby: the Lake Clear Wabbler.
The Lake Clear Wabbler is an oval-shaped flasher-attractor that captures the attention of trout with its unique action and flash. Typical sizes range from two to three and a half inches in length and come in a variety of finishes or colors. The gold-plated finish of a Breck’s Lake Clear Wabbler provides excellent reflection and flash, even at greater depths where brook trout may lie during the summer months.
Most anglers fishing for brook trout or big rainbows tie one end of the Lake Clear Wabbler directly to their monofilament line. At the other end of the Wabbler, they attach a 12–18 inch leader, followed by a hook and worm. Some anglers prefer to use a streamer, large nymph, or even a small lure instead of a worm at the end of the leader.
Proven Technique for Landing Record-Breaking Trout
Gary Marchuk of Bear Cub Adventures guide service in Lake Placid typically opts for a copper-finish Wabbler attached to his 8-pound test line with a snap swivel. At the other end, he uses a barrel swivel and a 3-pound test leader. He recommends using just enough worms to cover the hook.
The rig is trolled at very slow speeds, which allows the Wabbler to wobble without spinning. Typically, you should let out 100–150 feet of line behind the boat, holding the rod perpendicular to the boat and at a 45-degree angle above the water. The hook set should be subtle, ensuring a solid catch without spooking the fish.
Richard Beauchamp of Mayfield, NY, caught the current New York State record brook trout in Silver Lake using a Lake Clear Wabbler rig. That day, he also landed three other trout over 5 pounds—all on the same reliable rig.
Trolling for Trout on Larger Waters
When trolling for trout on larger lakes, many anglers use setups similar to those employed on smaller ponds, but they often make adjustments to suit the deeper, more expansive waters. On lakes like Raquette Lake or Lake George, motorized boats can cover larger areas, allowing anglers to target deeper sections where trout tend to congregate, especially during the warmer months.
While some anglers might still use Lake Clear Wabblers, many prefer to troll with small stick baits or thin spoons like the Williams Wabler or Mooselook Wobbler. These lures create a lot of flash and action, mimicking the movement of baitfish, which can attract trout from greater distances.
- Depth Control: The key to successful trout trolling is controlling the depth of your lure. Trout often seek cooler water below the thermocline (the distinct temperature layer in a body of water), especially during summer months. Anglers often use added weight or a three-way rig to ensure their lures reach the desired depth.
- Three-Way Rig: A popular method for getting lures deep is the three-way rig, which involves attaching a swivel to the mainline, with one line going to the lure and the other to a weight. This setup allows you to troll at various depths by adjusting the weight and line length. For instance, Tom Yacovella, when catching a state-record brook trout on Raquette Lake, used a three-way swivel with enough weight to get his three-inch Rapala stick bait down to the thermocline, where trout were feeding.
- Matching the Hatch: The concept of “matching the hatch” is key in trout fishing. Trout feed on the available forage, so selecting lures that mimic the size and movement of local baitfish increases your chances of success. Yacovella’s record-breaking trout had been feeding on two-inch minnows, and his lure imitated this bait size perfectly.
- Lure Selection: Stick baits like Rapalas are great for imitating smaller fish, while spoons like the Mooselook Wobbler or Williams Wabler offer a lot of flash to attract fish from a distance. Choosing between these depends on water clarity and depth, with spoons being effective at greater depths due to their flash.
- Slow Trolling: Trout prefer a slow presentation. Keep trolling speeds low—typically between 1.5 to 2.5 miles per hour. This allows your lures to mimic the natural movement of prey fish and gives trout time to react.
Trolling for Landlocked Salmon
Landlocked salmon are an exciting species for anglers, but in summer, these fish typically reside in deeper, cooler waters, usually around the thermocline, where temperatures hover around 55°F. As the sun rises, they move lower into the water column, so fly fishing, which works well in the cooler seasons, becomes less effective.
In the early morning, before sunlight reaches the water, landlocked salmon can often be found in the upper 10 feet, actively feeding on small baitfish. This makes dawn the best time for trolling with small flashy spoons like the Mooselook Wobbler or Williams Thin Spoon. Popular color combinations for these spoons include silver and blue, black, or purple, as these hues mimic the flash of baitfish and attract the salmon’s attention.
Tips
- Trolling Speed: Veteran anglers recommend trolling between 2-3 mph in a zig-zag pattern to vary the lure’s speed and action. Salmon often follow lures for a while before striking, and changing speeds can trigger a bite.
- Lure Selection: Bright and flashy lures work best on sunny days, while darker colors are more effective on overcast days. It’s important to experiment and change lures until you find what works best that day.
- Kayak Fishing: For kayak anglers, GPS devices can be used to track trolling speeds, and zig-zagging your kayak while trolling can produce more strikes.
Trolling for Lake Trout
Lake trout, known for inhabiting cold, deep water, head for the depths once summer heats up. These fish are usually found near rocky structures and drop-offs, often hugging the lake bottom or suspended just above it.
Unlike landlocked salmon, which prefer flashy, fast-moving spoons, lake trout require a slow troll, ideally around 1 mph or slower. The goal is to keep the lure near their habitat—either the bottom or near deep, rocky outcrops.
Tips
- Lead Core Line: While downriggers and advanced fish-finders provide precise control, many Adirondack anglers rely on lead core line, which allows you to reach depths of about 7 feet per color of line. For example, six colors of line will bring your lure to about 40–42 feet, an ideal depth for lake trout during summer.
- Depth Control: A basic depth finder can help you understand the lake’s structure and locate drop-offs or rocky bottoms where lake trout like to dwell.
- Slow and Steady: Lake trout are most effectively caught at slow speeds, so it’s essential to troll at 1 mph or slower, making wide S-shaped turns to vary the lure’s depth and speed. These variations often trigger strikes, especially during turns or pauses in the trolling pattern.
Lake trout are a unique challenge for summer anglers, but with patience, knowledge of the lake’s structure, and the right trolling techniques, they can be successfully targeted in many Adirondack lakes.
Original Article By Leo Maloney
About The Author
Leo Maloney was once the editor of Lake Ontario Outdoors Magazine. He enjoys many types of fishing in NYS, especially for steelhead.
This article has been revised by Daniel O’Neill, an experienced angler and writer, to ensure its continued relevance and accuracy. As a result, it may no longer reflect the original author’s views or intentions.
