Tunk Lake Salmon

 When Matty McDiesel launched me a text about fishing for lake trout and salmon at Tunk Lake last weekend, I felt compelled to attend for several reasons.  First being that we haven't done much together lately and secondly, I simply needed to do something different than catch a cheap lobster or move more things into the new house.  Opportunity was knocking and I felt good about our chances for a fish.


So off I went to paw through my moved fishing gear to find my trolling rods, tackle, downrigger, and anything else that would be necessary for our three hour tour.  We planned on meeting at 6 a.m. at the public landing.


You may only keep one salmon but all landlocked salmon between 16 and 20 inches must be released alive at once.  As for lake trout, one may keep six fish with a minimum length limit of 14 inches, only 1 can exceed 23 inches in length.

As always, Matt and I were both there a touch early.  Within minutes, the boat was launched and we we cautiously motored out of the rocky minefield out to the deeper part of the lake.  Our plans centered on circling the deep hole which drops to over 200 feet below the surface. 

Lead core and downriggers set, I nailed my first fish early.  A landlocked salmon just under 16 inches was landed using a white Mooselook with red dots dropped down to about 25 feet with the downrigger.  Shortly thereafter, Matty scored a small lake trout and lost a beauty before we succumbed to the heat.  When we started it was a pleasant 55 degrees and the sun within hours made it almost 85 degrees.  Nevertheless, a great morning with a great buddy.