Find Your Next Spot
Lake trout
Salvelinus namaycush
Identification
Deeply forked tail and light, worm-like spots on a gray-green body — the largest of the char species in North America.
Where It's Found
Deep, cold lakes across the northern U.S. and Canada, including all of the Great Lakes.
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Fishing Notes
Typically holds deep, especially in summer — downriggers and jigging spoons fished near the bottom or at the thermocline are the standard techniques.
Scientific Classification▾
Family
Salmonidae
Genus
Salvelinus
Order
Salmoniformes
Class
Actinopterygii
Phylum
Chordata
Kingdom
Animalia
Ready to go fishing?
Find a boat ramp near you and check state fishing regulations before you head out.
Photography sourced from Wikimedia Commons contributors.