Fish Facts: Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush)

Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush) are native only to the northern parts of North America. Lake Trout are actually char that live in deep, cold, usually infertile lakes. They preferred water temperature is about 50 degrees therefore in the summer they stay deep and can usually be caught by deep trolling. Their depth is temperature dependant and they will be found shallower as the waters cool.

Key Notes and Tips:

  • Lake Trout forage consist mainly of smaller fish.
  • Lake trout sometimes hybridize with brook trout to form what is called a splake.
  • Lake trout are the largest of the chars, reaching a maximum of 100 pounds.
  • Lake trout have been introduced into Europe, South America and Asia.