Looking for a Ice Fishing Guide

[Turkeynate1]

Hello everyone,

I am looking for a Ice fishing Guide who specializes in Ice fishing for Lake Trout. I have never Ice fished for lakers before and would like to take my dad and a couple buddies on a trip this winter.

I'm thinking Ontario is where we would like to go. If anyone has any information on places to stay, lakes and guides I would really appreciate hearing about it. We have all the ice fishing equipment except snowmobiles (which I believe is a must for fishing lakers through the ice).

So we would be looking for a full service guide that provides at the very least transportation or snowmobiles. We would be open to using all of our ice fishing equipment, but don't mind using the guides equipment as well.

I really appreciate any help anyone can give me.

Thanks!

Nathan

[Captain B.R.K]

You've come to the right place for information on this very sort of thing...........WELCOME!

I have been up to Canada for the last 3 years now specifically targeting lake trout. We have stayed at two very good places, Muskie Bay Lodge and Brown's Clearwater Lodge. Both are a good 1 - 2.5 hours from International Falls.

With Muskie Bay Lodge, I would look at their full service package that includes lodging and meals. They do an excellent job with this package. We went with this our first year and couldn't believe the cost per man for their service!! Just bring your gear and everything else is handled for you. They do guide here.

**I believe they do have snowmobile rental.

Brown's Clearwater Lodge near Atikonan, Ontario is a great place too. We have been their the last 2 years! They have heated cabins that you can rent w/kitchenette, dishes, utensils, etc. for you. Running water too. Just bring your gear & FOOD and you are set to go. Otherwise you can eat dinners down at their lodge, but save yourself some money on this option here. They do have guide services.

**I believe they also have snowmobiles to rent.

A few tips:

1. If you have at all possible, get at a snowmobile to bring on your trip. This is a must have on your trip For the cost of renting a machine and gas, your fishing trip is going to get VERY expensive. If you have ever been to a Marina, you know how much more a gallon of gas cost vs. at a service station. Same deal in Canada but they go by liters not gallons...gets $$$.

2. Guide service for one day should plenty enough for your group unless you are a total greenhorn. At both of the above places, they have been generous enough to help us in getting us in the right direction. Each year we have gone, it has been a learning experience for us to. Do a little book reading, internet searching on Lake Trout tactics to save $$$ on several day guide package.

3. Have fun and don't expect the world on your first trip. Lake Trout fishing can be feast or famine type of fishing. If you don't find the pattern (depth) they are at, you can definately spend some long days on the water not catching much. On the other hand, if you do......you will plenty of action.

Good Luck and have fun!

[Turkeynate1]

Captain,

Thanks for all the helpful information. Sounds like you guys have been having a blast on your trips. A couple quick questions.

I do have an ATV that we could bring along. What are your thoughts on using an ATV up there? I guess depending on the snow conditions/temps, in your opinion is it worth trying to use an ATV or is the snowmobile the only way to go?

What are the lakes you guys fish up there? When you were staying at Muskie Bay, did you fish Crow or Lake of the woods for lakers?

What lakes did you like to fish out of Brown's Clearwater resort?

What lures worked the best for your group? Is the fishing better in Jan. or Feb. or does it really matter?

Did your group ever go out with any guides? If so do you have any that you would recommend?

Sorry for all the questions. I really do appreciate all your help.

Thanks again Captain!

Nathan

[Tom Linderholm]

One other I might mention out of Bayfield/Ashland WI is our own FM moderator JKH431.

Check out his HSOforum Here

Good Guy and a little closer to home.

[Captain B.R.K]

Nathan,

Like I said, the places you stay normally have lake maps you can purchase at the lodge and they will mark them up for you. From there you start looking for spots on the maps with steep drop offs, shelves, points, etc. Just have to do a little research on fishing those dudes

As for ATV travel, just depends on how much snow the place has on the lakes. The last 2 years that we have been going to Brown's, we haven't been able to go all the way up into some of the lakes we take snowmobiles just because of depth of snow. Plus those ATV's eat up a lot of gas rippin' it up in the snow.

If we go again this year, we will not take an ATV.

Lures to use can run the gamit. I normally do not fish with live bait or any bait at all. I normally take a 3/8jig or tube jig and stuff that into a Berkly Power Tube. Ones that are plain white and others that come in a few colors & look like a minnow/shad are my favorite and our group does REAL well with these baits. BUT bait with airplane jigs, bucktails, and flyers all work too.

We normally went the weeks right after the 1st full moon in January. Each owner at the lodges I talked about earlier said that fishing tends to be best around then. To be honest with you though, people do well all year round up there for lakers.

When we are on Muskie Bay, we fished Crow Lake for lakers.

Fishing in the Bayfield/Ashland area on Lake Superior can be tremendous too. Definately talk with Jim, a.k.a JKH431about his package. Your ATV could definately be used out there if the snow pack is minimal.

Geez, now look what you gone done... you got me all excited about being on the ice

[Turkeynate1]

Captain,

Thanks again for all your help. Are you guys heading back to Brown's this year or going back to Muskie Bay? I'll definitely check into Jim's guide service and his packages. Thanks again for your help.

Anybody else have any experience with Icing Lakers or any tips they would like to share with me? I'd love to hear about your experiences.

Thanks!

Nate

[hanson]

Nate-

I sure will buddy!!

Last winter was my very first fishing lake trout, in fact it was only 1 weekend of fishing but it was fun and definitely a different (yet similar) style of fishing than I am used to.

My one and only Laker trip last winter was the FM/IceLeaders Burntside Bash on Burntside Lake near Ely, MN. The boys had over 80 people show up to fish this friendly contest/get-together.

Like I said, I've never fished lake trout before and neither has my brother who was my partner for the day. We actually did very well icing 2 lake trout of the 20 that were caught and weighed in. They weren't the biggest trout in the lake but we were definitely satisfied. My brother landed a 4 pounder and mine was barely 1-1/2 pounds.

Tackle? White tube jigs, White Northland Airplane Jigs, White Jigging Rapalas, White Swedish Pimples or other Jigging Spoons, and White Bucktail Jigs (various manufacturers) are your primary laker lures. I would say you are looking for lures with a 2-3" profile. Some are used without bait, otherwise a chunk of cut smelt, cisco or other bait native to the lake is a good choice.

Drop your lure down to the bottom and start aggressively jigging it up to the surface watching your flasher the entire time. Those lakers don't have a problem covering water in a hurry so you need to cover water as well. Both top to bottom as well as horizontally (moving & hole hopping).