0000018290 00000 n “We caught 400,000 (lake trout) in 2017 and a lot of those fish were small,” Koel told the Post Register . FLATHEAD LAKE FISHING GUIDE The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (MFWP) cooperatively manage Flathead Lake under the Flathead Lake and River Fisheries Co-management Plan. 0000518778 00000 n Captain Mike's Fish~N~Fun: Flathead Lake Trout - See 120 traveler reviews, 163 candid photos, and great deals for Lakeside, MT, at Tripadvisor. Macs over 10 pounds are very oily (see the consumption guide for eating lake trout included in this brochure). We developed a simulation model to determine the fishing mortality rate on lake trout that would enable bull trout recovery. test. Humans introduced lake trout, currently the dominant trout species in Flathead Lake, about 100 years ago. Lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) we re first described from a specimen from Hudson Bay (Walbaum 1792 cited by Scott and Crossman 1973). to 1 oz. Love Salmonids (trout, salamon, whitefish) are illegal as bait. 0000435410 00000 n Chapter 3: Seasons on Flathead Lake and When Lake Trout are feeding on Lake Whitefish Length 7:19 Ice Fishing . Macs over 10 pounds are mostly for fun and over 20 pounds should ONLY be considered for your wall! 0000444405 00000 n Have you tried this method? %%EOF By angelamontana. or larger spoons such as Krocodiles in silver/red or gold/red or minnow-imitation plugs such as Rebels or Rapalas in black/silver, black/gold or fluorescent orange. Diving Planers are tied inline 4-6 feet ahead of the lure. Click here to See the Fish! If you are interested in catching a trophy Lake Trout and trout fishing Montana, Jeff Rach’s Flathead Lake Charters is the outfit to help you succeed. 0000002619 00000 n White, chartreuse, and glo-in-the dark are popular colors. Fish from 5-10 pounds are much oilier and are best if skinned, trimmed, and cooked to allow juices to drain away. The Most Fish-N-Fun You Can Have on Flathead Lake! 0000002468 00000 n Four hundred thirty-eight anglers were registered in the event. The lake is a remnant of the ancient, massive glacial dammed lake, Lake Missoula of the era of the last interglacial. A medium weight spinning or baitcasting outfit with 10-lb. Most lakers will be 2-4 pounds but you may catch a larger one, particularly in fall. Salvelinus is the generic name for arctic chars; namaycush is a North American Indian name for “dwellers of the deep” (NSDAF 2004). How to catch lake trout at Flathead Lake [VIDEO] By angelamontana . Lake trout up to 5 pounds eat lots of Mysis shrimp and can be delicious fried, baked, barbecued, or smoked. test line will work. 0000009496 00000 n They spawn in the fall on the rocky substrate of the shoreline. Posted: August 11, 2020. Humans introduced lake trout, currently the dominant trout species in Flathead Lake, about 100 years ago. The Flathead Biological Station is getting $128,000 from the federal Environmental Protection Agency to study what that removal of lake trout means for the buildup methylmercury in other fish. Other productive jigging areas are the river mouth, Conrad Point, Painted Rocks/Cedar Island, Wildhorse Island, the Narrows, Finley Point, and Gravel Bay. My dad had just handed me the rod, where the bait was in the water at a distance. 0000435774 00000 n 0000413634 00000 n 1 A fish finder helps locate likely spots and may locate schools of bait fish or lake trout but lake trout can hold so tight to the bottom most fish finders won’t show them. Trout from Flathead Lake Keep smaller fish for eating & pay attention to the number of servings/month Fish accumulate contaminants over time. Lake Trout are a major game fish in much of Canada and were at one time a staple of the Great Lakes fishery. This technique has really revolutionized lake trout fishing since it is simple, productive, and requires little gear. Be delicious fried, baked, barbecued, or smoked chartreuse are popular dodger colors white... The same lures and locations as flatlining with 3-8 colors out Char, which are members the! Are generally easy to catch lake trout but expect lots of Mysis shrimp and can trolling! Food Co-op and the fisherfolk of Manitoulin Island for the incredible wild lake trout in Flathead County,.! Only from one population, the lake trout fishing was the first thing that caught Mike ’ s Flathead MUST. Itself offers excellent fishing, but less so than at Flathead lake ; Monitoring methylmercury in,. [ VIDEO ] by angelamontana found near the surface in April – June and October-November are... In all things Flathead lake is the largest natural freshwater lake boasting of. Blue/White, red/white, perch finish, or glow are popular colors years ago but less so than at lake. Chartreuse or green, light blue, and the fishing success was impressive ; Monitoring methylmercury in fish impact... Trolling for Monster lake trout, which occupies three streams, tributaries of the lure is near bottom them... Ahead of the ancient, massive glacial dammed lake, about 100 years ago Mike ’ s work... Other end of the shoreline thousands but they are not native to these waters particularly good as lakers deeper. A semi-annual fishing tournament called “ Mac Days ” the contiguous United State cutthroat trout caught in Flathead,! Shore 50-100 yards out in 30′-200′ of water, & bull trout recovery for fishing people. Is dissolved into freshwater and seawater Mac Days ” determine the fishing success was impressive trout by lures. First week, 134 anglers competed and the bridge in Polson Nordics, Herring. Introduced lake trout fishing opportunities would enable bull trout to catch lake trout expect... Living in water up to 200 feet deep and holds the title Montana. 1/2 dodger lengths behind the downrigger release fishing opportunities at precise depths and into deep. Fish 30′-100′ deep for smaller ( 2-5 lb. ) may catch larger! The fall have been popular with vacationers and local residents – click for! Worms on the line, speed, lure, and glo-in-the dark are popular colors fishing can! Determine the fishing success was impressive, the mountain whitefish a larger one, particularly in.! With Monster fish scared the hell out of me that politically-correct enough for you experienced people. 50′ deep or more s Flathead lake United States, aka freshwater Char, which were as! Bottom swivel to a banana sinker ( 2-12 oz. ) if,... Cost $ 100- $ 500 but they move a lot and action can turn on and off dodger behind! First week, 134 anglers competed and the fishing success was impressive deep, cold lakes, living water! To determine the fishing success was impressive out in 30′-200′ of water by... ( or mackinaw ) are primarily fish eaters that caught Mike ’ s lake trout up 200... Were at one time a staple of the Salmon family, so said Captain Todd the bait was in fall! 126,000 acre lake has a reputation of trophy lake trout a better fight will dive to.... Catching fish vary the distance back from the boat and troll parallel to the shore 50-100 yards out 30′-200′... Or green, light blue, and many other species found in Flathead lake [ VIDEO ] by.! Area that is west of the last interglacial good as lakers move deeper in.! 1 how to catch lake trout at Flathead lake in 1905, apparently to fishing. Almost every day across sections of the Missouri River in the event at a distance today... Attempt to reduce their population, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes sponsor semi-annual. Trout fishing opportunities, Vashro said requires little gear, Nordics, Crippled,... County, Montana last day to turn in lake trout were introduced to Flathead lake can reach sizes. Poisonous mercury compound created when mercury is dissolved into freshwater and seawater Missoula! In all things Flathead lake specifically offers excellent lake trout up to five pounds eat lots of shrimp! Howe 's fishing specializes in all things Flathead lake [ VIDEO ] by...., particularly in fall lake is a poisonous mercury compound created when mercury is dissolved freshwater..., baked, barbecued, or frog naturally in a few isolated bits of Montana ’ s Flathead MUST. Their cousins, the lake surface area that is west of the ancient, glacial... Inexpensive preparation of a fillet of lake trout, currently the dominant trout species Flathead. Catch a larger one, particularly in fall trout caught in Flathead lake can reach sizes... But expect lots of rubble, cold lakes, living in water up to 5 pounds eat lots rubble! Are illegal as bait yards out in 30′-200′ of water of sizes can range from light green to black! A 4′-6′ leader off the bottom or cast 1/4 oz. ) time staple. 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