Jason Mitchell notes that the lake trout fraternity is growing each winter, as more anglers are falling in love with these powerful predators.

When we first developed the Mackinaw series of ice rods in our Jason Mitchell Rod lineup back in 2005, there were very few rods on the market designed for lake trout fishing. The niche was small at the time. The rods being marketed as predator or lake trout rods had too-short handles, and the actions weren’t heavy enough. The options were either pool-cue stiff-fiberglass rods that featured three guides, or getting a rod built in a custom rod shop.

I remember Berkley making a predator rod in the Dave Genz Lightning Rod lineup that was a great rod at the time but, the rod was discontinued after a few years. Once that rod was discontinued, the only good option was Thorne Brothers.

When we developed the Mackinaw Baitcasting Rod, we incorporated a spiral or Robinson wrap where the guides started on top of the blank near the real seat, and rotated around the bottom of the rod blank. The idea for that design came from the late Ed “Backwater Eddy” Carlson. I can still remember showing the rod design to bait and tackle shops—with puzzled looks. I will never forget one occasion where I showed the rod to a tackle shop owner in northern Minnesota.

“You have some serious issues with quality control,” explained the shop owner. His face was wrinkled as he ran his fingers down the rotated guide train.

I explained the purpose of the rotated guide train, and his expression changed. The grimace turned to a smile, and he told me, “I’ll take twenty of them!”

The spiral guide wrap became popular as many ice anglers switched over to braided line when fishing for lake trout over deep water. The spiral wrap allowed a smoother line route to the baitcasting reel when the rod was loaded up, and the guides collected a lot of the ice at the rod tip. Line wasn’t as apt to wrap around a guide. In our quest to build the ultimate lake trout rod, we took a few risks.

The challenge back than was simply numbers, at least stateside. One of the biggest markets for our very first Mackinaw rod at that time was the Lake Superior fishery. We also had some pockets of lake trout anglers in northern Minnesota and upstate New York. We were selling ice rods to small bait and tackle shops, but sales for that rod action blew up when anglers in Canada discovered the rod.

Lake trout fishing can still be difficult, and can still be remote. But, there is no doubt these destination adventure trips are much easier to do today, and more anglers are discovering this incredible fishing opportunity.

There are many premier lake trout fishing opportunities, and some of these opportunities, like Lake Simcoe and Geneva Lake, are relatively close to a lot of people. Some fisheries, like Pactola Reservoir in South Dakota, are the result of creating a new fishery through stocking efforts.

Perhaps the original lake trout destination for many Midwestern-, and particularly Minnesota-based anglers, is northwest Ontario. More specifically, Lake of the Woods. But there are some tremendous drive-to destinations just north of the border, near communities like Kenora and Nestor Falls.

Manitoba has become much more accessible over the past 20 years, with more lodging options available through the winter. Manitoba fisheries like Clearwater Lake, Kississing Lake, Cranberry Portage, Bakers Narrows and Reed Lake all offer some of the very best drive-to lake trout water, particularly for the coveted fish over the 35-inch mark.

For the very biggest trout in the lower 48, the Apostle Islands of Lake Superior are tops when the ice conditions are safe.

For adventure and unbelievably unpressured lake trout options for both numbers and size, northern Manitoba is at the very top of any list. For ease-to-reach for many Midwest-based anglers, with consistent ice and fishing, northwest Ontario is still a viable option. All these destinations are worth the travel to reach.

Lake trout can live for several decades on some fisheries. A fish that can push your equipment to the max. A fish that can burn drag for a hundred feet before turning. A fish that can grow to awe-inspiring size. Lake trout are king wherever they swim, and you will feel like a king when you catch one of these amazing fish.

Want to try something new this winter? Get inspired: read the December issue of MidWest Outdoors, available the first full week of December at the newsstand or by subscribing on our website.