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GREAT BEAR LAKE
Mark Stricker says if he had pulled his line out of the water a few seconds earlier, he would have missed landing one of the biggest lake trout of his fishing career.

Angler Mark Stricker holds the 53-pound lake trout he caught in Great Bear Lake two weeks ago. He believes it's the biggest fish caught in the lake this year. - photo courtesy of Vincent Bouchard

"We were fishing for maybe 45 minutes and, funny enough, we decided we were going to change spots," he said. "As we were pulling our lures in, we saw the fish and were able to drop the lure."

They dropped it just in time.

Stricker caught a 53-pound lake trout while fishing at Great Bear Lake the week of Aug. 19.

Stricker said the fish fought for about 25 minutes and he credited his friend and fishing partner, Vincent Bouchard, for helping him make the catch.

"He was instrumental," Stricker said.

Stricker said the pair had no idea how large the fish would turn out to be.

"We didn't realize the size of the fish when we saw it," he said. "It was a lot bigger than we thought.

"I believe it is the biggest of the season up there."

Great Bear Lake is the fourth largest lake in North America and is home to some of the largest lake trout in the world, according to the World Lake Database. The largest lake trout on record caught by rod and reel was taken from Great Bear Lake in 1995. It weighed 72 pounds.

Hundreds of anglers visit the lake every year to catch trophy-sized fish.

Chummy Plummer, owner of Plummer's Arctic Lodges, said Stricker's fish is definitely one of the largest caught this year. So far, about 260 anglers have visited the lodge.

"That's right around the biggest fish we caught this summer," Plummer said. "It was a beautiful fish."

Plummer said although the weather has been cool, anglers have not been disappointed.

"It's been a very good summer," he said. "The fishing on Great Bear Lake has been excellent."

While Stricker's fish could be the largest this year, Plummer said other fish have been coming close.

"We've had other ones within a couple pounds for sure," he said.

Stricker, who is from Minnesota, said his first trip to Great Bear Lake was 32 years ago when he visited with his father.

Eight years ago, Stricker returned the favour and brought his father back to the lake. He has been visiting Great Bear Lake every year since then, staying at Plummer's Arctic Lodges.

"I would be called a 'lifer,'" he said.

Stricker said if he could share some advice with fellow anglers, it would be to trust their fishing gear and have a capable partner to help land the big one.

"You definitely gotta let the fish play for a while, Just enjoy the fight."

After taking some pictures, the pair released the fish.

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