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Best Baits and Lures for Lake Trout (And When to Use Each)

The best baits and lures for lake trout, from jigging spoons and tubes to trolling spoons and big minnow lures, and when to use each from a boat or shore.

By Gear Scout Fishing · October 12, 2026

Lake trout are predators that feed mostly on fish, so the lures that work best look like baitfish: flashing metal, wobbling spoons, and soft plastics that swim or flutter. The bigger challenge is almost never the lure itself. It is getting the lure to the right depth and moving it the right way.

This guide covers the main lake trout lures and baits, when to use each, and how they fit shore and boat fishing.

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How to Choose

How deep are the fish? Deep fish call for heavy jigging spoons or downrigger-fished spoons. Shallow fish open the door to casting.
Are they feeding or sluggish? Active fish chase trolled lures. Slower fish often respond to a jig held near the bottom with small lifts.
What is the forage? Cisco, smelt, whitefish, and other baitfish are common in laker lakes. Silver, white, and natural patterns are safe starts.
How clear is the water? Laker lakes are often very clear, so natural colors and quality leaders matter. In low light or deeper, brighter or glow accents can help.

Jigging Lures (The Core Boat Tools)

Once you have marked fish or structure, vertical jigging is among the most direct ways to catch a lake trout.

Jigging spoons

A heavy metal spoon sinks fast, flashes on the fall, and flutters when lifted. It is probably the single most useful laker lure for jigging.

When: Over structure and fish marks, in deep summer water, and in fall.
How: Drop it to the bottom or just above the fish, lift the rod tip a couple of feet, and let the spoon flutter back. Most bites come on the fall or just after the lift.
Shore or boat: Mostly boat. From shore, it can work off a deep pier or breakwall when fish are close.

Tube jigs

A hollow soft-plastic tube on a jig head. The skirt flares on the fall and looks like a small fish.

When: Rocky bottoms, shallow to mid-depth water, and when fish are less aggressive.
How: Lift gently, let it fall on a semi-tight line, and bump it along the bottom.
Shore or boat: Both. Tubes cast well and are a decent option for shore anglers near deep rocky edges.

Paddle-tail swimbaits

A soft swimbait on a jig head swims with a steady retrieve and can be bounced along the bottom.

When: When lakers are chasing baitfish, often shallower in fall or after ice-out.
How: Let it sink, then retrieve along the bottom with pauses.
Shore or boat: Both.

Blade baits

A compact blade bait vibrates when lifted and dropped. It is useful in cooler water and for fish close to the bottom.

When: Cold water, early spring, and fall.
How: Lift sharply, let it fall, repeat. Most strikes come on the fall.
Shore or boat: Both.

Trolling Lures

Trolling puts a lure at a controlled depth and covers lots of water, which is how many anglers find fish on big lakes.

Trolling spoons

Larger spoons wobble and flash as they are pulled. They are a long-time staple.

When: Whenever you need to cover water. They work from shallow runs near ice-out to deep summer lines.
How: Troll slowly along drop-offs, points, and humps. Adjust speed until the spoon shows a steady wobble. Small speed changes can matter.
Shore or boat: Boat only.

Large minnow-style lures

Big, slim, baitfish-shaped lures look like the cisco and smelt that lakers eat.

When: In shallow water, after ice-out, and in fall. Deep-diving versions can be trolled, and floating versions can be cast.
How: Troll at moderate speeds or cast and retrieve with long pauses.
Shore or boat: Both. This is one of the better choices for shore anglers when fish are shallow.

Flasher and fly rigs

Some anglers use a flasher, which is a large flashing blade, ahead of a fly or small lure to attract fish from a distance. It is a trolling setup common in certain regions and can be effective on cold-water fish.

When: Trolling for suspended or deeper fish.
How: Pull behind a downrigger at a slow, steady speed.
Shore or boat: Boat only.

Getting Lures to Depth

A lure is only useful when it is where the fish are. These tools solve that.

Downriggers

A weighted cable carries your line to a precise depth and releases it when a fish hits. This is the most controlled method.

Planer boards

Boards spread your lines to the side of the boat so lures run away from the engine noise and cover more water, which helps when fish are shallow.

Lead-core line is another option; it sinks at a predictable rate by the amount of line let out. Ask local anglers which is most common on your lake.

Using Bait

Natural bait can catch lake trout, but rules are very local. Some waters restrict or ban live bait, dead bait, or certain baitfish to protect the fishery or stop the spread of invasive species. Check your local regulations before using any bait, and never move baitfish between waters. In places where it is allowed, cut or whole baitfish are typically fished on a rig near the bottom or trolled. Artificial lures are legal almost everywhere and are the safer default for beginners.

Leaders, Swivels, and Small Gear

Lake trout have sharp teeth and powerful runs. Use fluorocarbon leaders that are stronger than your main line, and quality swivels and snaps for spoons. Check leaders for nicks after each fish. Needle-nose pliers help remove hooks without getting too close to the mouth.

For rod and reel recommendations that match these lures, see best rod and reel for lake trout.

A Beginner Starter Kit

A compact laker kit that covers most situations:

Two or three jigging spoons in different weights
A handful of tube jigs with matching jig heads
A few trolling spoons in natural and bright colors
One large minnow-style lure
A blade bait
Leaders and swivels

Match the Lure to the Situation

Situation	Strong choices
Just after ice-out, shallow fish	Large minnow-style lures, tubes, shallow trolling spoons
Deep summer fish over structure	Jigging spoons, downrigger-fished spoons, flasher rigs
Fall, fish near rocky areas	Tubes, blade baits, jigging spoons, minnow-style lures
Fishing from shore in a cold season	Casting spoons, minnow-style lures, tubes

Color Quick Guide

Clear water, bright sun: Silver, white, and natural baitfish patterns.
Low light or deeper water: Glow, chartreuse accents, or brighter flash.
Overcast: Metallics with a bit of contrast.

Most anglers carry two or three colors and switch when one is not producing.

Safety and Respect

Lakes that hold lake trout are cold and often large, so wear a life jacket, check the marine forecast, and tell someone your plan. Fish brought up from depth can suffer pressure injuries, so if you plan to release one, keep it in the water, use a rubber-mesh net, and let it go quickly. Seasons, limits, closed areas, bait rules, and gear restrictions vary by lake, so check your local wildlife agency before you fish.

Quick Lure Checklist

FAQ

What is the best lure for lake trout? A jigging spoon is a strong all-around choice for boat anglers. For trolling, a trolling spoon is a classic.

What size lures should I use? Lake trout eat large baitfish, so mid-sized to larger lures are common. Match what the local forage looks like.

Can I catch lake trout on live bait? Where regulations allow, yes. Check your local rules first, since many waters restrict bait.

Do I need a downrigger to catch lakers? No. Vertical jigging works without one, and downriggers are for trolling at depth.