In North America, we’re blessed with many diverse fish species, which includes jigging lake trout up from the depths.
In the south, largemouth bass, catfish, and crappie are king. As you move into the Midwest, walleye, smallmouth bass, panfish, and musky take center stage. Throughout the Northwest, Great Lakes into Canada, lake trout are one of the favorites.
Lake trout are a cold water species that inhabit deep water throughout the warm summer months. Lakers are also the largest of all North American trout. In 1995, the 72-pound IGFA all-tackle world record was caught by Lloyde Bull out of Great Bear Lake in the Northwest Territories.
Throughout the mid-1900s, lake trout populations in the great lakes plummeted because of commercial fishing and the lamprey. Since that time, the department of natural resources started programs to bring the lake trout back, and we’re now seeing the fruits of their labor.
In recent years numerous giants have been showing up throughout the great lakes region.
Let’s join Jeremy Smith and Capt. Ben Wolfe from Sportfish Michigan jiggin’ up lakers one fish after the other.
Title: Jigging for Giants – Lake Trout Tactics on Lake Michigan
A Diverse Fishing Heritage Across North America
North America is blessed with an incredible diversity of freshwater game fish. In the South, anglers celebrate the abundance of largemouth bass, catfish, and crappie. Crappie, in particular, offer high-action days that can easily shift into chasing aggressive largemouth in the same outing.
As we move northward into the Midwest, the angling landscape shifts. Here, walleye, smallmouth bass, panfish, and muskellunge dominate. In the upper reaches of the Great Lakes and into the vast waters of Canada, lake trout reign supreme—especially among those who pursue deep-water trophies.
Lake trout, or “lakers,” are the largest native trout species in North America. These fish are not just abundant; they’re impressive in size and power. The world-record laker, a staggering 72-pound behemoth, was pulled from Great Bear Lake in the Northwest Territories in the mid-1990s by Lloyd Bull. Around that same time, however, lake trout populations in the Great Lakes faced serious challenges due to overfishing and predation by invasive sea lampreys.
Fortunately, thanks to aggressive management and stocking efforts by various departments of natural resources, especially in Michigan, lake trout are making a strong comeback. And nowhere is that comeback more evident than in the waters of Lake Michigan.
Welcome to Lake Michigan: Lakers on the Line
In this segment, we join Jeremy Smith and Captain Ben Wolfe from Sport Fish Michigan for an unforgettable jigging session targeting lake trout on Lake Michigan. The action is fast, the gear is light, and the results are spectacular.
“This is hand-to-hand combat,” says Jeremy. “You get to see the fish, you feel the bite—and they just tear you a new one.”
The day starts with a methodical approach. Rather than setting up blindly, the team zigzags over key structural elements: contour breaks and depth transitions that serve as ambush points. Early in the morning, fish tend to hold shallower before sliding deeper as the sun rises.
Key depths begin to reveal themselves quickly. At 75 feet, they start marking consistent groups of fish—enough to convince them to drop anchor (or spot-lock with the trolling motor) and get lines in the water.
Instant hookup.
“Unbelievable,” Ben says. “I hadn’t even put my jig on yet.”
Fast and Furious Double-Ups
Lake trout jigging, when it’s hot, is all about speed and efficiency. Jeremy fishes both spinning and baitcasting setups, depending on his presentation. A crippled herring—a heavy, metal jig that drops quickly to depth—is his lure of choice, rigged with a modified VMC bladed hybrid treble hook for added flash and hookset power.
In just minutes, both Jeremy and Ben are hooked up. Doubles become the theme of the morning.
“It’s hard not to get greedy,” Jeremy jokes. “Do I grab the net for you, or do I drop back down?”
The beauty of this bite is not only in the volume of fish but in the size and fight. Lakers are notoriously powerful, and even modest-sized ones pull like freight trains on bass gear. Their bulldog runs and vertical surges challenge your drag and your stamina.
Strategic Spot Selection & Boat Positioning
Ben, a seasoned captain, knows these waters intimately and explains how strategy shifts depending on the structure.
“If it’s a funneling spot—like a tip or inside turn—fish will often move through, so we might stay put. But if they’re not coming to us, we go find them,” he explains.
Lake Michigan is divided into zones, each with its own harvest regulations based on population studies. These creel limits, enforced by the Michigan DNR, help maintain a sustainable fishery across this massive lake. As Ben notes, these regulations ensure that everyone has a fair shot at enjoying world-class trout fishing.
Early Mornings and the Importance of Speed
While trout can be caught throughout the day, the early morning bite often produces the best action. Jeremy emphasizes efficiency: fishing deep water means heavier gear. Using lightweight jigs wastes time getting to the strike zone.
An ounce-and-a-half crippled herring is the ticket this morning, and its fast drop rate keeps Jeremy in the strike zone consistently. With little downtime between catches, they continue to double up—fighting fish, laughing, and marveling at the power of these deep-water predators.
Giants on Light Tackle
The highlight of the morning comes when Ben hooks into a true giant. Jeremy, taking a break from his own fish, grabs the net and lands a spectacular lake trout.
“That is a beast,” Jeremy exclaims.
It’s a reminder of why anglers love these fish. Their size, strength, and beauty—highlighted by iridescent fins and torpedo-shaped bodies—make every lake trout catch special.
They take care to keep fish wet if they’re planning to release them and remove hooks quickly and safely using nets and pliers. Conservation remains central to the experience.
“This one’s a plant,” Ben notes, referencing Michigan’s robust stocking program. “What a critter.”
Gear Matters: Rods, Reels, and the Right Setup for Lakers
One of the most remarkable parts of this Lake Michigan lake trout experience is the consistency of the action. “When you have to wait three or four minutes between bites, it’s rough,” Jeremy laughs. With fish coming one after another, the right gear setup is essential—not just for performance, but also to fully enjoy the thrill of each battle.
Jeremy favors a St. Croix Bass X rod, a 7’4″ medium-heavy with a moderate-fast action. Why this rod? The softer graphite and slower taper allow more give, which keeps pressure on the fish even when they’re cartwheeling at the surface—a common move that can shake a jig loose if the rod action is too fast. “This action is perfect for holding onto fish,” he explains. Combined with braid, it still offers excellent sensitivity—you’ll know instantly when a lake trout slams your bait.
Throughout the session, both anglers switch seamlessly between spinning and baitcasting gear. Jeremy notes that it’s all about preference. What’s important is using gear that balances backbone and flexibility to match the strength and acrobatics of lake trout.
High-Tech Advantage: Navigation Made Easy
Technology plays a vital role in staying on fish. After landing multiple trout, Ben and Jeremy quickly re-rig and prepare to reposition using Minn Kota’s One-Boat Network. Instead of firing up the outboard, Ben simply taps a few buttons on the Humminbird interface. The system locks onto a saved waypoint and the trolling motor automatically navigates them right back to the hot spot.
“Hands off, we can retie, re-rig, and just let the motor get us back,” Jeremy says. It’s a perfect blend of efficiency and precision that allows anglers to maximize time on active fish.
No-Nonsense Vertical Jigging
Vertical jigging lake trout isn’t complicated. “It’s not a fussy kind of fishing,” Ben explains. Drop your bait fast, bounce it near bottom, and get ready. Whether you’re an experienced angler or a beginner, this method is accessible and effective.
Even novice anglers can succeed. Feeling the bite and landing a fish this size creates an unforgettable experience. “You’re not going to go catch walleye or bass this big, this consistently,” Jeremy says. “This fishery is just incredible.”
Doubles continue to happen, sometimes within seconds of hitting bottom. Fish after fish emerge—fat, strong, and beautifully marked with vibrant white fin tips and healthy adipose fins. The quality of the lake trout here is exceptional.
Rod and Line Breakdown
For those looking to get in on the action, the good news is you probably already have what you need. Jeremy and Ben use medium-heavy rods—both spinning and baitcasting. For vertical jigging, they suggest:
- Rod Type: 7′ to 7’6″ medium-heavy, moderate-fast or fast action
- Reel: Size 150 or 200 baitcaster (e.g., Daiwa Tatula 150)
- Line: 15–20 lb. Sufix 832 or 131 braid
One surprising insight is the use of 15 lb. braid even on baitcasting setups. The lighter line allows lures to fall faster and stay vertical in deep water. This is especially useful when fishing depths around 75 feet.
Jeremy’s go-to lure is a Crippled Herring jig, often paired with a VMC bladed hybrid treble to add flash and improve hookup ratios. These modifications help draw bites and hold fish better through intense battles.
