Cold Lake newbie

twilson_99 · #1 07-10-2019, 06:58 PM

Never fished Cold Lake before, planning to go this week and launch from provincial park. Not looking for people to give me their spots or anything, but any recommendations on tackle or bait? No downriggers for trout so mostly looking for pike and walleye.

Kurt505 · #2 07-10-2019, 07:56 PM

You can go into level bay, just south of the provincial launch, or you can head east and troll from the point across the bay from the park and follow it into French bay. What I would do is buy a couple of these and troll for lakers. I have downriggers but run one rod right out the back with one of these and they work great.

https://www.cabelas.ca/product/65612...eep-six-divers

mooseknuckle · #3 07-10-2019, 08:31 PM

Honestly.the best.pike fishing ive had.out there is 200 yards straight out from the launch, further out towards the other side of the bay, 14-18fow minnow on a jighead for walleye.

58thecat · #4 07-11-2019, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twilson_99

Never fished Cold Lake before, planning to go this week and launch from provincial park. Not looking for people to give me their spots or anything, but any recommendations on tackle or bait? No downriggers for trout so mostly looking for pike and walleye.

Lakers in 150' of water on edges dipping from 50'. Depth at 40'-50', pink lady, willow leaf and using apex trolling lure 3" and 4" blue melon....combination was deadly.....

Red and white or 5 of diamonds, small leader and head in and around the bays....

download a map.....I like launching at French bay and go back into the bay working my way out for pike....walleye just off the point left side as you leave the bay 15-25' of water use jigs and various colors to see if they are interested

go straight out from the ski hill troll out of that water area and then head over to your right once out in the big water, 100 yards or so off shore head up the lake and you will hit lakers....fish finder just hit the bait balls and then hang on.

lake is big and with that being said one area is hot then another is not....enjoy

-JR- · #5 07-12-2019, 04:57 AM

Saturday weather is low winds so you may be better off jigging for them in about 60-80 of water . (2 oz jig with minnow or a bondy lure for $23. is my goto jig in burbit colour . Just watch where the other boats are and watch the where they hook up with a fish and set up with a long rope

Big Thumper · #6 07-12-2019, 05:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kurt505

You can go into level bay, just south of the provincial launch, or you can head east and troll from the point across the bay from the park and follow it into French bay. What I would do is buy a couple of these and troll for lakers. I have downriggers but run one rod right out the back with one of these and they work great.

https://www.cabelas.ca/product/65612...eep-six-divers

You don't need downriggers for trout in this lake. We fish there a lot and never use them.

35 whelen · #7 07-12-2019, 12:28 PM

Find some deep holes get a couple 2 oz Jigs and drift and jig

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk

twilson_99 · #8 07-12-2019, 09:43 PM

Got out today, didn't have much luck on pike, mostly small ones by the boat launch and the next point across the bay to the east. Went up the east side of the lake and managed to jig onto a trout in 40ft. First lake trout!

Kurt505 · #9 07-12-2019, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twilson_99

Got out today, didn't have much luck on pike, mostly small ones by the boat launch and the next point across the bay to the east. Went up the east side of the lake and managed to jig onto a trout in 40ft. First lake trout!

That’s great to hear. Will you be out there tomorrow? Maybe I’ll see you there?

Big Thumper · #10 07-13-2019, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twilson_99

Got out today, didn't have much luck on pike, mostly small ones by the boat launch and the next point across the bay to the east. Went up the east side of the lake and managed to jig onto a trout in 40ft. First lake trout!

Get deeper in the same area and you will catch bigger ones!

-JR- · #11 07-13-2019, 09:47 AM

Were you the young lad that was at the boat lunch friday filling his boat with a jerry can ?

twilson_99 · #12 07-13-2019, 11:20 AM

Nope, we spent most of our day trolling up the east side to cold river then back. Most of the action we got was within 1000yds of the boat launch. Weren't planning to go for trout but catching 1 was great, I think we will be back with heavy deep tackle next

RavYak · #13 07-13-2019, 11:42 AM

1-2 oz jigs is all you need, downriggers help find them by covering ground but you can do the same just boating around with fish finder. Just move around till you find them, most often between 50-110 fow.

fish99 · #14 07-14-2019, 09:06 AM

buzz bombs and zingers 80 feet of water , cannot miss. 50 plus fish a day .

Weavster · #15 07-14-2019, 05:10 PM

Last week they were in 60-70ft jigging was the best way to catch them. I watched countless boats troll by with no hookups while we produced lots of fish just jigging and reeling up and down the water column. I filmed a short video on jigging for them hopefully it'll be uploaded soon!

Kurt505 · #16 07-14-2019, 10:58 PM

I’m not sure how many fish we caught today, but hit was a bunch, got my workout cranking the downriggers. We went out by the island and were trolling silver/green/black Williams spoons. Had plenty of double headers.

Got a few gooders too.

What an awesome day on the lake.

58thecat · #17 07-15-2019, 05:36 AM

Yup the ol'lake can produce...went out yesterday to see if I could track down a good pike .....French bay in 4" of water and worked my way out towards the big water trying to target where they may be laying right now so from 4 to 8 then at drop off to 12-20.....two hours, twenty landed, many got off all under 30"....

Next time

Hartly · #18 07-15-2019, 03:01 PM

Guys what weight and length of rod should I use for Lakers ? All my current rods are Walleye rods .

Weavster · #19 07-15-2019, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hartly

Guys what weight and length of rod should I use for Lakers ? All my current rods are Walleye rods .

I utilize a 7ft fast action heavy rod with 20lb braid. This comes in handy when you hook into those bigger fish. Not saying your walleye rod won't work but just remember you want to get the fish to the boat in a timely matter. The longer you fight that fish the more the lactic acid builds up and the more exhausted it becomes which with that becomes a greater chance of it not surviving.

Kurt505 · #20 07-15-2019, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hartly

Guys what weight and length of rod should I use for Lakers ? All my current rods are Walleye rods .

I used whatever rod is handy at the time. My little guy was catching them with his GLoomis IMX 722 which is a 6’ walleye jigging rod and 10lb braid.

RavYak · #21 07-15-2019, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hartly

Guys what weight and length of rod should I use for Lakers ? All my current rods are Walleye rods .

I wouldn’t use light walleye gear but you can get away using heavier walleye gear(like bottom bouncing rods or crankbait rods). I use mh rods and they get the job done with ease although if you hook a 30+ incher they can make you work for it a bit.

Biggest problem with a lighter rod would be jigging heavy jigs and getting a good hook set.

Willowtrail · #22 07-16-2019, 04:22 PM

I troll on my downriggers with a 9’0” med extra fast casting rod with a line counter levelwind reel.

For jigging I use a 8’0” med/heavy casting rod with a baitcaster with a flippin switch. Both with 20’ braided line and a 20lb fluoro leader