If you have been following our other pages on Blueback Trout, you may already be aware of their lineage and their habitat.

Blueback Habitat Preferences

Blueback Trout are charr, which means that they have a preference for very cold water.

Since the last ice age, Blueback Trout have been limited to landlocked lakes. And, as the ice retreated from the United State and Canada, the climate began to warm, leaving Blueback Trout seeking out deep water in the summer months.

In lakes that were too shallow, Blueback Trout died off, leaving them in lakes that offer water temperatures of at least 60°F or lower in the hottest months of the year.

Locating Deep Water Blueback Trout

Blueback Trout are found in deep water mainly in the winter and summer months. In winter it is because the warmest water is often near or at the bottom of the lake as the surrounding earth at that depth radiates heat into the water which is usually no more than 40°F/4°C.

However, Blueback Trout are not limited to the deep water during the winter and can be found throughout the water column with the exception of the top ten feet which is coldest part of the lake.

Summer Deep Water Fishing

In the summer months, many of the small lakes in the Blueback’s distribution are relatively shallow and to escape the warm water, Blueback Trout head deep often congregating near or at the bottom of the lake only heading into shallow water to get food or when the water cools at the beginning of September towards the end of summer.

The best way to catch Blueback Trout when they are in deep water is by trolling. The use of a double planar board will help you keep two reels firmly secured and the baits at a constant depth.

Aim to keep the baits presented within five feet of their current depth and manoeuvre the boat using an electric trolling motor as sound from a gas engine can scare the Blueback Trout away.

Casting is the next best method but requires a lot more effort and skill. You will need to know what depth they are located at, but this can be accomplished by using a duel beam sonar device and with the help of some popular live baits like fathead minnows and golden shinners.