Late post, quick report from an outing 2 days ago with fellow board member mykola. Launch point had firmed up, shoreline no issue. Good 6"-7". Set up in a location we have caught lake trout in the past.
A few marks with mild interest came by but nothing overly aggressive. Small perch mixed in on bottom. Decided a dead stick presentation might be more effective. I prepared a set-line on my bell tip-up, leader with a small Williams Wabler as an "in-line flasher" with a large emerald shiner rigged a few inches below. Suspended ~20' over 65'.
As we were preparing lunch on the ice, Nick yelled over to me that my tip-up had been triggered. I quickly ran over and after a short struggle at the hole with frozen hands, landed an over slot lake trout. A very satisfying catch, the first fish caught on my homemade tip-up.
Certainly not our most productive day on this lake but it was great to be out and hear the ice growing!
Haliburton Gold, First lake trout of 2025
