Splake gear

Quick setup

Rod	Reel	Line
Light spinning or spincast rod, as for brook trout in ponds.	Small spinning or spincast reel.	Light line, about 4 to 6 lb.

Rod, reel and line

Rod: Light spinning or spincast rod, as for brook trout in ponds.
Reel: Small spinning or spincast reel.
Line: Light line, about 4 to 6 lb.

Baits

worms
small baits on ice jigs

Lures

spinners tipped with worms
small spoons
dark nymphs and woolly buggers
tiny ice jigs

Rigs

Troll near shore with a spinner tipped with a worm in spring.
Through the ice, tiny jigs tipped with bait, often a little deeper than for brook trout.

Tips

Splake are a lake trout and brook trout hybrid that feed on smelt, perch and minnows.
Look near points and shoreline shallows in spring and fall, when light tackle and even flies work near the surface. They tend to leave the shallows by late spring.
Fly fishing: Dark nymphs and woolly buggers cast or trolled near shore.

Starter setup

A 5.5 to 7 foot light to medium-light spinning or spincast rod and matching reel, spooled with 6 lb monofilament. Spincast is easiest for beginners, and a 4 to 5 foot rod suits small kids. Carry size 6 to 10 hooks, a few split shot (pinched on 4 to 8 inches above the hook), small bobbers, a couple of small spinners and jigs, and worms. Learn the improved clinch knot and the palomar knot.

Light line casts farther and draws more strikes. Heavier line and stiffer rods are for bigger fish, heavy cover or sharp teeth, not for everyday fishing.

When to size up

Fish	Gear
Walleye, bass, saugeye, hybrid striped bass	medium rod, 8 to 12 lb line, 6 to 7.5 feet
Channel catfish	medium-heavy rod, 10 to 20 lb line
Northern pike	medium-heavy rod, 15 lb or heavier braid, steel or heavy fluorocarbon (40 lb+) leader
Muskellunge	heavy 7 to 9 foot rod, 50 to 80 lb braid, heavy leader
Trolling for lake trout and salmon	8.5 to 10.5 foot trolling rods, 15 lb mono or 30 lb braid, level-wind reels
Steelhead	8 to 10 foot or longer rods, 6 to 10 lb line
Lake sturgeon	heavy rod, 50 to 100 lb braid