Manitoulin Island laketrout fishing
Lake Manitou is known for five-star Lake Trout fishing. This wily fish will always keep you on your toes. In the spring (May 1st – early June), before the lake has ‘turned over’ the trout are often up at the surface. Then, in the summer, they go deep to stay in the colder temperatures. Down-riggers are most often used, but steel-lining is also time-tested and true. A fish-finder is helpful as Lake Manitou can go down to 150′ in places, and the trout can be anywhere. Talk to the other fishermen. Often, a best bet is to pass in an arc through Sandfield Bay (right in front of your cabin) at about 70′. The season ends September 1st, but often you might hook a spawning trout right off the dock (and must release!). In the winter, rent an ice hut (all-inclusive: bait, rods, heat, transportation to & from) to jig using a strip
ice-trout
of salted sucker bait. Check out Ryan’s unique made-in-Sandfield ‘Jack’s Jigs’ made by local Jack Hayes. The season starts Jan. 1st. The MNR Fish Hatchery and interpretive centre is located nearby. In the fall the MRN nets Lake Manitou’s Lake Trout for spawn. Fry are then raised in the nearby ponds. Lake Manitou Lake Trout is used to stock lakes throughout this region. You can tell a ‘natural’ trout from a ’stocked’ trout by the clipped lower fin, and the naturals often have a darker green colour. Click here to visit the MNR’s Blue Jay Creek Fish Hatchery .
