[racer]

I know I might be treading on `hallowed ground` here but I`m hoping that you big Mac guys can lend a little advice to those of us who don`t have your skill and knowledge yet when it comes to bringing up those big Macs. I am very much into catch and release when it comes to the big mammas............I`d really like to experience the thrill along with a snapshot for fond memories. I can only suspect that big fish knowledge is quite often hoarded in fear of the base disappearing..............that being said, maybe education is the key thing here. To those who would catch a 10 pounder and keep it............. I think we can change a few attitudes and help them understand the importance of returning the fish back to water asap - after a very brief photo opp. Education is the key here. Yes, there are those who might abuse the ` return policy`but I have to believe that we can improve on our sport by promoting catch and release of ALL big fish. It is a mentality that we are talking about here folks. Let`s insure that our joy of fishing remains at least untill we go fishing tommorrow. 8)
Well, I got a bit side tracked there, did`nt I.............. :-\

I do enjoy fishing Grandby. It has great diversity and the potential for growing big trout is a real one. Over the years I`ve become pretty confident with the `catching` part of fishing but still am at a loss when it comes to the bigger Macs. I know the movements of the smaller fish throughout the season ( I`m still learning ) but don`t have much knowledge of the movements and habits of the larger fish. I would love to hear what you all have to say. That being said...........

CATCH , PHOTOGRAPH & RELEASE ...........PLEASE! 8)

 

[epic]

Moved your post from the fishing reports section to here, as it would get more response here and should be in this section. Anyways now for my response to your question.

Big macs are usually taken Ice fishing, jigging full suckers or jigs tipped with suckers. However most people arent into ice fishing, so the best time to land them is right out of ice off. During this time they have finished their spawn and recovered and head to the shallows to feed. They tend to hit lures that resemble fry as their eggs are hatching and heading for the safety of the shallows. Sucker meat and jigs also work good at this time as they are opportunists, and a free meal is a free meal. During the summer months they usually head to deep water so slow trolling is good. In the summer they are not always deep and trolling around the lake can lead to a few hookups.

I hope this helped, if you use the search button at the top of the page we have alot of topics about lake trout already.

 

[racer]

Thanks ePIC

I was hoping a for a little feedback. Yours is certainly appreciated. And thanks for the `relocation` of my post as well as the steerage to more info. This is what makes this site such a jewel.
Feel free to send private posts. Jeff

 

[IceInTheVeins]

Sadly most of the big macks in this state have been wiped out thanks to the mismanagement of the CDOW. They allow big macks to be kept and allow the small ones under 20" to overpopulate. The best fishery for big ones is still blue mesa, but it's way down from its glory years because the CDOW allows 8 lakers of any size to be kept. They have a hatred toward mackinaw that is only exceeding by their bias against pike. Most anything they tell you about macks or pike will be a lie.
Blue Mesa, Ruedi, Granby, Twin, and Taylor are the best big mackinaw fisheries, in that order. However most except for Blue Mesa are overrun with small lakers. Keep as many of the little ones as you can but throw back anything over 22".
Big macks hang out in the same areas and do the same things as little ones. It's just a matter of putting in grueling time and hoping the little ones don't grab it first. But they always will.