Lake Trout is a freshwater fish found mainly in the northern parts of North America. There are known to be native to the northern parts of Canada, though they also are native to some parts of Alaska in the United States.
1. Lake Trouts
Trout, also known as Salvelinus namaycush come under the genus of salmon fish called char. They are typically known to inhibit in cold freshwater regions.
Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush) is also known by different names like lake char, mackinaw, grey trout, and tongue. In Lake Superior, they are also called siscowet and lean.
1.1. Lake Trout Populations
Trout is a famous Canadian freshwater fish from the char family. They are a group of slow-growing fish who are native to northern Canada regions.
Adult Trout are known to be predators preying on the small fishes on Great Lakes. They feed on aquatic animals like aquatic insects, crustaceans, sponges, and small fishes. Some are also known to feed on plankton.
1.2. Lake Trout Habitat
Trout populations prefer deep water though they are spotted mainly in shallow water. They prefer oligotrophic lakes like those in northern Canada and Great Lakes.
Larger Trout exist in cold lakes with good water quality and aquatic insects. Higher levels of oxygen in rivers are required for them to survive.
Native to the Great Lakes, they are one of the popular targets in Lake Superior fishing. Found in the deeper water of Lake Superior, they can grow to 7-12 pounds.
1.3. Appearance
Trout has a light green to slate grey body with light undersides. They have deeply forked tails. Their body colour depends on the water body where they are known to exist. Their body colour varies from silver, brown, and dark to light green and many more.
Flanks of Trout are of a lighter shade with a milky white belly. The pelvic and pectoral fins have an orange colour with a white edge, a common feature of the char family.
Trout is the largest among the other char species and is known to have reached around 40 pounds with a length between 24-36 inches.
1.4. Spawning
Spawning of Trout changes along with their location and weather pattern. They mainly spawn at night during the fall season. They are known to be slow-growing fish and mature late.
They broadcast their eggs over various spawning shoals that make them broadcast spawners. Once fertilized, these eggs sink to the bottom and get lodged between boulders and gravels.
They reach their reproducing stage when they are 6-7 years old and live for more than 25 years.
2. How to Catch Lake Trout
Lake Trout are one of the most sorts after fish in North America. They prefer cold waters, so keep in mind a few tips that would lure them to your trap.
2.1. Use the Right Rod
If you are fishing in waters where they are found at the bottom of the lake, it is best to use a light-action rod. It creates lesser friction, allowing you to cast a line to the bottom of the lake. If the area has fish weighing more than 30 pounds, it will be safer to use a heavier rod.
2.2. Choose the Right Lure
Trout feed on various feeds, so the best lure will be the one that mimics their individual food choices. Local anglers will also be able to guide you to the best lure to be used.
For deep-water trout, a big bucktail jig is one of the best artificial options. It should weigh 3-4 ounces. It should have a large head and hook.
2.3. Live Bait
It is also important to realize that Trout’s food preferences can change depending on the region and season. Minnows are preferred more by anglers.
2.4. Where to Find Them
You can find them in cold water and generally in the deeper reaches. Check your region for the best places to go trout fishing. Also, keep a lookout for the deepest spots of the lake. You can do Lake Trout fishing at any time of the year.
Since they prefer cold waters, they will be found in the deepest and the coldest part of the lake during summer. It is difficult to catch Lake Trout during the summer as lakes get warmer and Trout moves to the deep dark depths.
Once the lake ices over in the winter, it can be seen closer to the top. During winters, they will be closer to the surface of the lake as shallow water will be cooler for them. Ice-covered lakes make fishing for Trout easier.
Trout feed on smaller fishes and plankton look out for the fish near the feeding areas during fishing.
2.5. Best Time to Fish
It is always better to fish for Trout early morning or late evening. Trout are more active during their feeding time. In summer, they feed from dawn to noon mainly. When the temperatures are low in the spring, you can fish any time of the day.
They conglomerate along the shoreline and shoals during the fall season making them an easier target in the shallow waters.
Final Note
There is plenty of competition with respect to fishing Lake Trout. With fisheries breeding these fish, the trout population has increased. So if you love fishing, grab your fishing gear and go hunting the Salvelinus namaycush.
