r/FishingOntario

*i am not looking to target sockeye (kokanee) salmon, this question comes from a point of curiosity*

There are multiple different sites that tell me there are sockeye salmon in the great lakes system, but there is no strong proof that they exist here. My assumption is that there are a few in the lakes/rivers of Huron an Superior that survived from back in the day, and there is no strong population of them.

I am looking to see if there is anybody that knows more than this about sockeye salmon in our waters...

I'm thinking Cook's Bay area but anyone had their go at Crappie fishing on the ice?

I use to fish them all summer with my old man when I was a wee lad and want to try to get on some during winter months.

Hey all.
 
I plan on taking my inflatable with trolling motor up a Lake O trib in west GTA for salmon. I usually wade once or twice a year and have launched about three times in the past ten years to try by boat. I’m more into bass and pike and not good at salmon fishing.
 
I wanted to launch soon and give it a try again. I only use my 6.5 foot rods with like 20 lb braided line. Since I’m not into salmon I don’t have dedicated gear for it but I’ll try my best with what I got.

So, I’m wondering, what two of three lures or baits would you use for salmon this time of the year in about 3 to 8 feet of water? The handful of times I did go up the river with my rig, I wasn’t catching, but others in boats and on shore were. I’ve also had a partner onboard the last two times and nothing, whether it was trolling or casting. From talking to a couple people or just seeing what they had, I know a couple were catching with inline spinners and jerk baits. And of course, some were catching on roe bags. Would you guys use anything else for this certain situation?

Can someone give me advice on a good all-around setup for the basic fish around the Great Lakes (bass, pike, walleye, whatever other sportfish I’m forgetting about)? I have a medium-heavy rod with 20 lb braid and I don’t know what kind of leader I should get without spooking fish because I’ve heard metal leaders spook fish easily and people are telling me to get fluorocarbon, except I can’t tie knots for the life of me (even with the help of YouTube), so I don’t know what to do. I find metal leaders with clips and swivels already, so does that mean the fluorocarbon leaders can have that, too? Do I change my line? I just need advice for that. Thanks!