Ultimate Fishing Adventure: Lake Trout in the Fall

Lake Trout Frenzy in Ontario’s Remote Wilderness

This week on Lund’s Ultimate Fishing Experience, veteran anglers Jeremy Smith and Jeff Simpson chase the crisp air, golden leaves, and—most importantly—monster lake trout. Their destination? The rugged, remote waters of Lower Manitou Lake, tucked deep into Sunset Country, Ontario, where the fish are big and the wilderness is bigger.

A Lodge in the Middle of Nowhere

Basecamp for this trip? Manitou Weather Station Lodge—an off-the-grid angler’s paradise.

Mid-September here is prime time. The lake trout are stacking deep, staging near shallow reefs in anticipation of their fall spawn. Jeremy and Jeff timed this mission perfectly—and their reward? A full-on trout fest.

Finding Fish in a Sea of Wilderness

Armed with electronics, trolling gear, and an eagerness that rivals the local grouse, the guys waste no time.

“We’re starting off slow and covering water,” says Jeff as the team begins trolling with precision. “Four ounces of lead, snap weights, 130 feet of line out—bam, right in the zone.” The sonar lights up like a Christmas tree. The screen's practically dripping trout.

“Told ya. Look at ‘em—stacked from 60 to 90 feet,” Jeremy grins.

Moments later, it’s game on.

Hookups, Doubles, and Pure Chaos

“Fish on!”

Then another. And another.

“This is how it’s supposed to go,” Jeremy laughs as he sets the hook, rod bowed deep.

From the first drag peel to the second trout in the box (destined for a smoky dinner), the bite is relentless. Troll. Hook up. Reset. Repeat.

But they’re not just here to troll. Once they find a honey hole, the real fun begins—jigging.

Vertical Jigging Magic: A Dance of Sonar and Steel

“Look at this,” Jeff whispers, eyes locked on the screen. “That’s gotta be… what, twelve fish? Fourteen? Time to jig.”

Dropping down a hair jig and watching it streak through the water column on sonar, it’s like video-game fishing—except every hit is a head-thumping freight train.

Bang. Another trout.

“This feels like ice fishing in open water,” says Jeremy, watching the trout rise to his jigging rap like heat-seeking missiles. “You just work the cadence—twitch, pause, BAM.”

And when they’re not suicidal? That’s when the finesse shines. “You’ve gotta mess with 'em a bit,” Jeff says. “One minute, it’s a chase. The next, it’s a slow dance.”

Tiny Baits, Titanic Battles

Forget massive lures. These lake trout are dialed into last year’s cisco hatch—small profiles, big results. Jigging raps, spoons, hair jigs—each one gets bit. And with rods rigged for quick swaps, the guys are constantly rotating gear, staying right in the sweet spot.

“This is like fishing for crappie,” Jeremy jokes, “if crappie could peel line and crush your will to fight.”

Tech and Tactics: The Ultimate Combo

In these deep waters, technology is king. The real MVP? Spot-Lock.

“Back in the day, we’d be fighting the wind, trying to hold position with a tiller,” says Jeff. “Now? We hit a button, and boom—dead still. Bait stays vertical, fish stay visible, and we stay locked in.”

Add top-notch sonar, and it's a fish-finding masterclass.

One Final Note: The Unsung Glory of Lakers

“Everyone comes up here for the walleye,” says Jeremy, “but lake trout? Man, they kick your butt.”

Lower Manitou is a deep, sprawling lake. Without a plan and a little help from local intel—thanks, Chris at the lodge—these fish can stay ghosts. But put in the time, and bango—the payoff is unreal.

Powerful. Aggressive. Gorgeous. Lake trout might just be Canada’s most underrated freshwater prize.

Lund 1875 Pro Guide: The Angler’s Dream Machine

Before we wrap, a quick shoutout to the boat making this madness possible. Jeremy’s running the Lund 1875 Pro Guide, and he swears by it.

“This rig handles everything. Rough water, big fish, gear piles—it’s built for serious fishing, and it never lets us down.”

Conclusion: When the Wilderness Delivers, You Just Say “Wow”

From golden leaves and cold mornings to bent rods and smoky fillets, this was more than a fishing trip. It was a full send into fall angling bliss.

So, if you’re craving an adventure where the only crowd is a school of hungry trout and the only buzz is your reel screaming—Sunset Country’s Lower Manitou Lake is calling.

You just have to answer with a rod in hand.

FAQs

Q: When is the best time to fish for lake trout in Ontario?

A: Mid-September is a prime window, right before their fall spawn when they're stacked deep near rocky reefs.

Q: What’s the best technique to catch lake trout here?

A: Start by trolling to locate fish, then switch to vertical jigging once you find a concentrated school.

Q: What kind of gear should I bring?

A: Medium-action rods, line counter reels with braid, 4 oz snap weights, jigging raps, hair jigs, and a solid sonar unit are must-haves.

Q: Can I keep fish?

A: Yes—be sure to check local regulations, but lake trout are fantastic smoked or grilled.

Q: How do I book a trip to Manitou Weather Station Lodge?

A: Visit manitouweatherstation.com or call ahead for availability, especially during peak fall season.