Lakers

For years I looked at the spawning activities of lake trout  Salvenitus namaycush  (mackinaw) and assumed that they  typically spawned in mid to late October over large rubble.  That is what the books said and it was verified with gill netting and fishermen snagging lakers off the marina during the deer hunt.

In the last two years my observations on lake trout behavior has changed.  I now need to admit to something.  Fish biologists educated at universities with advance degrees don't know shit.  Their knowledge is based on what the "literature" says.  I was one of these guys but as I always knew down deep inside, the good fishermen knew much more than we did.  What I have learned is that lake trout begin the spawning process in late August, stage in deeper water and eventually move into the spawning areas that have the proper substrate which is large rock.  They spawning activities are a good effort but basically in vane in Bear Lake because the endemic species which are eggs predators suck up the eggs before they hatch.  Natural recruitment of lake trout is negligible in Bear Lake.

If you know right area, the depth, know the speed and use the right lure fishing is great in September.   We let them all go for another day.