Rod and reel:
- there is no point in spending a fortune on a rod that you might not enjoy, thus it is suggested that you spend between 20-50 dollars on a rod+reel combo
- when fishing on a lake your going to be holding the rod the entire time, therefore it is recommended that you purchase a rod that is not too heavy and is very flexible, because out on the lake the fish can travel under your boat.
- a rod anywhere between 6-9 feet is recommended for lake fishing
- check out this site for some good beginners fishing rods:
- http://www.thefishinhole.com/index.cfm?getProductsByDeptG=01&ALL=ALL&d=01
Live Bait:
Many anglers feel that natural fishing bait are more effective because they are more recognized by the fish and have an authentic look, feel, taste and odour that attract bites. some examples of live bait for lake fishing include minors, frogs, salamanders, insects, earthworms, grubs, grasshoppers and leeches. That being said, there is no best bait for fishing and it all depends on what type of fish your lake is stocked with and what time of year. LIve bait is more maintenance than artificial bait and sometimes certain baits are restricted because it introduces invasive species and viruses into lakes.
artificial tackle:
- there are thousands of different types of artificial tackle to meet every fishers needs
- While live bait is used mostly in smaller lakes, artificial tackle is used for any body of water
- artifical tackle ranges from lures, crankbait, jigs, spinners and many more
Larger boats and rigs:
- When fishing large lakes, such as Ontario's Great Lakes you will need a larger boat (15+ feet) and heavy duty down rigger. The rig is necessary to get your tackle deep where the fish swim (due to the cooler water temperatures). These can often be rented in local marinas and often guides are available for day trips to help unexperienced fishers. When purchasing a boat and rig for offshore fresh water trips consult this site for a variety of options offshore larger boats
Smaller boats for smaller lakes:
- When fishing smaller lakes for Walleye, Bass, Pike and Musky a large down rigger is unnecessary. A basic aluminum, wood pontoon or bass fishing boat is recommended and are a great deal cheaper than those mentioned above. consult this link for a number of retailers for smaller boats.