Lake Trout

Salvelinus namaycush

Natural-history illustration of a lake trout with pale spots and a deeply forked tail
Reviewed species illustration. Confirm your catch with current state identification resources before keeping fish.

Lake trout are the largest of the char family and a top-tier coldwater predator. Native to Canada and the northern U.S., they've been widely stocked in deep lakes across the West. Lake trout can live for decades and grow enormous — 30-pound fish are not rare in well-managed lakes. They inhabit the coldest, deepest water and feed on cisco, smelt, and other forage fish.

Catching Tips

Troll deep with lead-core line or downriggers in summer, targeting 60–100 feet of water. In early spring and late fall, they move shallow and can be caught by casting large white or chartreuse spoons. Ice fishing with a jigging spoon tipped with a smelt is highly effective in winter.

World Record

102 lbs
Weight
Great Bear Lake, Northwest Territories
Location
1995
Year

No stocking events recorded yet for Lake Trout.