What are lake trout attracted to?

When learning how to catch lake trout, it’s important to know that they prefer light lures so consider stocking up on small spinners and spoons. If you want to try live bait, try night crawlers, salmon eggs, or minnows that mimic their native prey.

What can you fish on in Flathead Lake?

Flathead Lake is home to a variety of fish, some of which can regularly grow to be over three feet in length (looking at you, lake trout)! In addition to lake trout, you’ll find pike, whitefish, rainbow trout, yellow perch, kokanee salmon, and bull trout swimming around Flathead Lake.

What should I use to catch lake trout?

For most spots, a lightweight spinning rod with a 6-pound monofilament line will suffice for most lake trout needs. For anglers that prefer live bait — which has proven effective when targeting lake trout — minnows tend to be the go-to option.

Is Flathead Lake good fishing?

Flathead Lake is very popular for pleasure boaters. The lake itself offers excellent fishing, but not necessarily for fly fishing. 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.

What colors do lake trout see?

Trout have four color receptors. They see the reds, greens and blues seen by humans but with some differences — what an angler sees as a dark red lure is perceived as bright red by the trout.

Does Flathead Lake have good fishing?

Are Flathead Lake trout good to eat?

Lake trout are safe to eat, CSKT and FWP emphasize, so long as people pay attention to the size of the fish they are consuming and stick to the guidelines. The Montana Department of Health and Human Services says many researchers recommend eating a half-pound of fish each week to help prevent heart disease.

What kind of fish are in Flathead Lake?

The fishing on Flathead Lake this summer has been some of the best we have seen in years. We have experienced great spring fishing for Lakers, transitioned to Lake Whitefish in mid-summer, and in between, Kokanee, and Cutthroat, big Yellow Perch and even a Bull Trout or two.

Where to troll for trout in Flathead Lake?

You can also troll plugs that will dive to 10′-20′. Drop the lure 100′-200′ behind the boat and troll parallel to the shore 50-100 yards out in 30′-200′ of water. Steeper shorelines such as most of the east shore, Conrad Point to Painted Rocks, Wild Horse Island and around the Narrows are good spots.

What kind of fish can you use to bait a lake trout?

Salmonids (trout, salamon, whitefish) are illegal as bait. Leadagators, Trilobites, Nordics, Crippled Herring, Kastmasters, and Buzz Bombs will all work. White, chartreuse or green, light blue, or glow are popular colors. Scents or tipping with a small piece of fish may help.

How big does a flatlining lake trout get?

Fish the same lures and locations as flatlining with 3-8 colors out. This is particularly good as lakers move deeper in summer. Diving Planers are tied inline 4-6 feet ahead of the lure. They can dive 30-50 feet but will trip when a fish hits to allow a better fight.