Big lake trout are always high on my list as they are such powerful, magnificent fish. This past week, I had the opportunity to fish Isle Royale, an amazing fishery located around the largest island of the largest lake in the world. This had been my fifth trip here, and every time the learning curve gets better and better, as there is just so much great structure to cover. It had been a goal of mine to find the bigger fish that this island has to offer, as the four previous trips had only yielded a handful of fish over 13 pounds. I knew right away that I wanted to fish new water where we have never been before.
We headed out of Grand Portage in my girlfriends dads’ 29 footer early Thursday morning. We were greeted with calm seas as we made the trek across to the island. Making the crossing, you suddenly feel very small, as all you can see is open water, and the 850 feet of it below your boat on the depth-finder. We reached fishable water after what seemed like an eternity, and began to let the lines out. Like I said earlier, this was water none of us had fished before, and we were going off of zero information, which is what I like, because it puts a great challenge in my head to figure out the pattern. Little did I know, it wouldn’t take much. We always had 12 lines in the water, between the boards, dipseys, riggers, and copper with a 1 pound ball. Many guys solely run riggers due to the thousands of reefs and humps that surround this island. It seems every reef or hump out here has numerous fish on it as it is prime habitat. The depth will go from 400 feet up to 12 in no time, so you always have to be alert and aware, because it can turn into an expensive trip very fast. Before we could get all the lines in the water, the first fish was on and it was a good one. 30 minutes later, we saw the Isle Royale gold come up from the bottom and into the net. These bigger fish do not come to the surface quick; they hang on bottom and go where they want to.
As the day progressed, the pattern became more and more prominent, as two of the 12 lines were getting fish. Every now and then the copper would get one, but it was evident as to what was working. We had narrowed the area down to a spot no larger than 500 feet from end to end. Every pass we could count on a fish. When we did hook up, we cleared the lines, and the fight was on. With no boats in sight, we had this area all to ourselves, and continued to work it. Nearing the five o’clock hour, we made our way back to our docking location, reflecting on what we had just caught in a short period of time.
The next morning, we went to return to this spot, but a water pump problem on one of the engines prevented us from running there, and we were stuck fishing water closer to home. I don’t know if those fish would have been there or not, but my gut tells me they were, and I dreamed of what another day like this would have yielded. Trying not to think about it, we caught some eater fish to take home and enjoyed the day. We returned to Portage the following evening as we reflected on a days fishing that none of us would forget. Days like that are not unheard of, as it seems everyone has their story up there, but for the four of us never had ours until this trip. With two trips still remaining up there for this year, I am more excited than ever. I am sure glad we decided to take a chance and fish new water, although it was out of the comfort zone, as we were passing up our go to spots that always produce nice fish but never anything of this caliber.
A few more pics
A few more pics
I also have every fish on video. Sitting up on the bridge, we were able to watch these fish fight when they got close to the back of the boat thru the clear water. I will get that posted up in the next few days.
I also have every fish on video. Sitting up on the bridge, we were able to watch these fish fight when they got close to the back of the boat thru the clear water. I will get that posted up in the next few days.
Nice fish
Looks like it was an incredible day. I’m super impressed — way to go!!
Absolutely amazing report, Grant. I’m pumped for our jigging trip up there later this summer.
Really wouldn’t care if I cought a fish! I want to be where a guy needs a jacket this week!!!
Thanks for the report.
-J.
Simply AWESOME!!!
Great Job Grant!
Nice fish!
Man does that look like a lot of fun!
Great report Grant and congrats on a very memorable day! 
Got any room in that boat? 
So what was the pattern/tactic that was hot?
That is one of my favorite fishing areas.
T
I’m looking forward to the video Grant!
I can almost taste the smoked flavor in my mouth now!
Awesome fish Grant!! BTW….Nice “Lucky Sweatshirt” as well.
Cranks on boards. We found a school of herring and just kept pulling through them. Out there if you find bait, you will find fish.
Cranks on boards. We found a school of herring and just kept pulling through them. Out there if you find bait, you will find fish.
Haha, well it is a 29 footer Brad! I’m sure we could fit ya in!
Haha, well it is a 29 footer Brad! I’m sure we could fit ya in!
Truly awesome report. It’s been too long since I’ve been up there, and that Isle Royale area definitely puts out better fish. Thanks for sharing some of the tricks of the trade, and most of all congrats on “dating-up”.
Joel
Well here are the videos, nothing amazing but its pretty cool watching these fish fight from up on the bridge. I chopped these videos a ton, and still had 28 minutes so i had to split it into 2 parts. We didn’t get every big fish on camera, but got a few. Some smaller fish made it on too, but the part 2 is all big fish.
The 2 big ones that were doubles start at 1:15 of the second video. I love at 9:23, where one of the two hooks pops out of the big one and we just gasp. I remember that like it was in slow motion as it happened.
Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lo1VGd-zDb4
Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ee5LQbpXhqw
Well here are the videos, nothing amazing but its pretty cool watching these fish fight from up on the bridge. I chopped these videos a ton, and still had 28 minutes so i had to split it into 2 parts. We didn’t get every big fish on camera, but got a few. Some smaller fish made it on too, but the part 2 is all big fish.
The 2 big ones that were doubles start at 1:15 of the second video. I love at 9:23, where one of the two hooks pops out of the big one and we just gasp. I remember that like it was in slow motion as it happened.
Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lo1VGd-zDb4
Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ee5LQbpXhqw
I have hit that pattern a couple times in shallow – but there were few lakers present…… when we hit it, it was steelhead after steelhead with the occasional laker and salmon thrown in.
That area is a great place to be!
Thanks for the report and vids……awesome!
T
Man that looks like a whole lot of fun. Great fish.
Yeah we had 4 or 5 salmon hit but never got one in. They just bent the hooks, left scales, and got off haha. We got fish shallow, but the majority of it was a little deeper.
And another thing, we clubbed the big one because we were in a tournament, so you kept your 3 biggest fish. Just wanted to make that clear, as she would have been released if we were not in a contest.
Yeah we had 4 or 5 salmon hit but never got one in. They just bent the hooks, left scales, and got off haha. We got fish shallow, but the majority of it was a little deeper.
And another thing, we clubbed the big one because we were in a tournament, so you kept your 3 biggest fish. Just wanted to make that clear, as she would have been released if we were not in a contest.
Awesome lakers Grant!
Thanks for the report.
Grant, How big are those fish?
Looks like one awesome trip!!
Anywhere from 18 to 33 – was our biggest. Thanks, yeah it was a very fun trip!
Anywhere from 18 to 33 – was our biggest. Thanks, yeah it was a very fun trip!
Holy Smokes
I love this photo, what a fish
Wow!!! Great fish and report Grant!