Spray Lakes monster
 

I live and Canmore and I go ice fishing in Spay lake a couple of time every winter and never caught anything out of there in winter. My friend keeps on pulling some every time we go so I know we're not in bad spots.

So 3 weeks ago, I went up there. Both of my friends heard my "Well, I never catch anything in winter at Spray" bullsh*t and we start drilling holes in 70' water. 5 minutes later one of my buddy got a bite but missed. 30 seconds later BOOOOOM. My first hit. My other friend looks at my rod and asked me why my rod was so soft. So the fight start and 3 minutes later, my buddy got a hit and his line broke within 1 minute. So after after an other 3 minutes of intense fighting, I pull that monster laker from the hole with yes, my buddy's hook in his mouth.

27.5" and 7lbs 4oz lake trout

http://i1257.photobucket.com/albums/...psa637c117.jpg
http://i1257.photobucket.com/albums/...psd40ec499.jpg
http://i1257.photobucket.com/albums/...ps32e4d028.jpg
http://i1257.photobucket.com/albums/...psf9ea1383.jpg

Nice, you'd think there'd be a few that size in there some where.

Beauty Spray Laker!

Nice! That is a great laker!

Awesome!

That's gotta be 1/1000 at least!

That is a beauty laker! well done!

What a dandy! Does anyone know why Spray doesn't grow a larger number of big lakers? Is it the elevation/temperature?

It is the ecology/food chain.

Most of the lakers in spray are planktivorous. They eat bugs and other little things.

Lakers are typically just fish eaters.

There is insufficient fish forage.


In exchange, there are tons of little ones and few that make the jump to eating other lakers, whites, and suckers.

If another forage species was introduced we would see the population decline but the average size steadily increase.

Great fish one of the biggest I have seen from Spray. Congrats

My buddy hammered a 12 plus pounder out of there about 7 or 8 years ago...they are in there.

LC

That is an awesome Laker from Spray! Congrats sweet :)

You left out the picture with it on your lap for the drive home and parading it through the streets of canmore. Your face speaks it all,, great fish, congrats!

Great fish, I got one a couple years ago that was 7 right on the money, so I know how your feeling. Congrats!!! :D

That's a beautiful fish, for any lake! Congrats.

Ah, that makes sense. Thanks!

Very nice!!!

Very nice fish for spray. Good catch

Nice one from Spray! Congrats!

Agreed ............ case in point ...... only a "few miles" as the crow flies, in lake Minnewanka, there are way less lakers but they are substantially larger on average over there. Although this 7lber is huge in Spray and, I will agree a 1/1000 fish, this is average over at Minnewanka.

They have forage fish like ciscos to feed on and it makes a big difference for sure.

Problem is, for the average guy, it will take him 50 hours to catch one fish in Minnewanka.

Nice Laker BTW ..........

Great fish!! Nice catch!!!

Beautys well done and thanks for sharing .

Anyone know if the ice is safe and how thick it is? Going out on the weekend
And need to know if the ice is good

Saweet!
 

Nice fish!! WTG!!

They are very very slow growing. A 27.5" lake trout is 12 years old and that's with ample food. Your fish in that ultra cold water+ lack or forage is prob closer to 15 years old. A 30" laker is 20 years old!!
Very nice laker!!

other trout species?
 

Just wondering if anyone caught other trout species in Spray Lakes?

I was there late August or so last year and the guy I was with got one (he's a member on this forum) that was pushing the 25lb category, possibly a bit bigger. He has a mount of a 25lb from Minniwanka, and this one was a bit bigger. It was amazing. I know he doesn't like posting pics. So if I can learn how to fuzz out faces, I will post it. Got some great video too. There are hogs in there. Never thought I would ever see one. As for Alexeys question........I have never tried for anything else in there. Only caught the odd White fish and Cutthroat by accident. Great looking Laker MMXK!

I caught a bunch of brookies less than 8" there.

Way to go, man ;)

In any other lake where big lakers live that would be equavilant to a 30 lber.

Beauty laker from some beautiful country, thanks for posting.