Summer lakers

[kev_7680]

Getting a new boat this spring and am trying to plan a summer camping/fishing trip to get some lakers. I’ve only fished for them through the ice , can you jig for them or do you have to troll for them in the winter

[turtle]

Right after ice out they can be scattered and at all depths. Once the top of the water column warms you can get them flat lining or casting in the top 20 feet. I almost exclusively troll to cover water, using lead core as they go deeper, but you can anchor and jig them if they’re under you. I use spoons and minnow baits for trolling and usually tubes for casting to shallower water.

[Woodfarmer]

I usually troll spoons to find them and then jig with minnows right after ice out.

[kev_7680]

How do you fish them in summer? That’s when I’ll be camping

[Woodfarmer]

Troll deep with spoons behind dipsy diver or downrigger. Our lake is 130’ down the middle, the Lakers like the cold water and hang out below 90’.

[Longshank]

summer lakers are targetted by trolling shield lakes mostly......they are normally from 40-90 feet down depending on temperatures

you can also jig for them if you have spotlock or anchor...same tactics as ice fishing that way

[Smilee]

Jigging for lakers last weekend….. Lk.Michigan with some friends:

[Smilee]

Pic…… using Rippin Raps

[Smilee]

Hungry fish!!!!!

[Smilee]

Like LS stated, fish will be deep on most shield and inland lakes.
Location,water temp, lure selection (match the hatch) are key!
Good electronics and ability to control your boat also factor in big time.
Good luck on the water!!!!

[mykola]

find the herring or smelt clouds in the summer, fish will be underneath them. my lake is 200+ ft deep, anywhere over 130 I usually see massive bait clouds suspended about half way down, always some massive marks underneath the clouds, sometimes you can see the big marks shooting up towards the bait and feeding. Spot lock, then drop a swammer, spoon, or even just a jig and minnow. Maybe a vibrato? once late August and September roll around, I find them in shallower, off island points in 35-50 fow.... pre-spawn staging until season closes.

[kev_7680]

I’m getting spot lock for sure. Never used dips divers and won’t be getting down riggers until next year.