Lake Trout

The lake trout has considerable value both as a sport fish and a food fish.

HOW TO IDENTIFY A LAKE TROUT

It is classified taxonomically with the chars, although some scientists prefer to place it in a genus of its own. Like other chars it has white leading edges on all the lower fins and light colored spots on a dark background, instead of the dark spots on a light background which is characteristic of salmon and trout. The body is typically grayish to brownish with white or nearly white spots which extend onto the dorsal, adipose, and caudal fins. There are no red, black or haloed spots of any kind. It has a more deeply forked tail than other chars, and several rows of strong basibranchial teeth which are weak, less numerous, or absent in other chars. It is very large char known to grow over 100 lb. (45 kg). It has been crossed with the brook trout to produce a hybrid known as the “splake” or “wendigo trout.” The hybrid lacks the deep fork in the tail and more closely resembles the brook trout in most respects. There are 65-85 pyloric caeca in the hybrid versus 93-208 in the lake trout and 23-55 in the brook trout.

 

WHERE TO CATCH LAKE TROUT

The lake trout is found throughout most of Canada and well into Alaska as well as the Great Lakes and in sections of the western U.S. where it has been introduced. In the southern portions of its range, or where introduced south of its native range, it seeks out the cooler waters of deep lakes. In northern lakes it may occur in either shallow or deep water. The siscowet, one of three recognized subspecies, is found in Lake Superior at a depth of 300-600 ft. (91-183 m). It is called a fat by commercial fishermen because the flesh is exceedingly fat and oily compared to the other two subspecies. Of all the chars, it is the least tolerant of salt water and is the only freshwater fish ranging into the far north of Canada and Alaska that has apparently not crossed the Bering Strait. The following list includes additional details on where to catch this fish:

OUTSIDES OF BENDS                                          RIVERS AND STREAMS

DAMS AND FALLS                                                  EDDIES

SMALL POINTED WAVES                                      UNDERCUTS

OVERHANGING TREES AND BUSHES                 ROCK AND BOULDER POCKETS

DROP-OFFS                                                          MERGING CURRENTS

STANDING WAVES                                               CURRENT EDGES

 

HOW TO CATCH LAKE TROUT

The following are fishing methods used to catch this fish:

FLY FISHING       STILL FISHING       BAIT CASTING    SPIN CASTING

 

LAKE TROUT LURES, TACKLE & BAIT

The following are lures, tackle or bait that can be used to catch this fish:

CURED FISH ROE      INSECTS     SPOONS      FLIES       JIGS