Salvelinus namaycush

How to identify a Lake Trout

Lake Trout are found in cold, clear streams and deep lakes; current seams and inlets. Use these features as a starting point and compare with a full identification guide before relying on any identification.

Habitat and range

Cold, clear streams and deep lakes; current seams and inlets

Where to catch Lake Trout

• Great Lakes (MI/ON)
• Flaming Gorge (UT/WY) — all species we list for this fishery
• Ontario Shield lakes
• Lake Tahoe (CA/NV)

Lake Trout by state

State season calendars that list Lake Trout — each shows the months it is in season and the official licence source:

• California — seasons, best months and licence info
• Illinois — seasons, best months and licence info
• Indiana — seasons, best months and licence info
• Michigan — seasons, best months and licence info
• Minnesota — seasons, best months and licence info
• Nevada — seasons, best months and licence info
• New York — seasons, best months and licence info
• Ohio — seasons, best months and licence info
• Pennsylvania — seasons, best months and licence info
• Utah — seasons, best months and licence info
• Wisconsin — seasons, best months and licence info
• Wyoming — seasons, best months and licence info

Baits and lures

Small spoons · inline spinners · flies · natural baits where legal

Detailed identification guides

• Salmon vs. Trout
• Lake Trout vs. Bull Trout

Related species

Often caught in the same waters or confused with Lake Trout:

• Brook Trout — identification & profile (Freshwater)
• Brown Trout — identification & profile (Freshwater)
• Bull Trout — identification & profile (Freshwater)
• Cutthroat Trout — identification & profile (Freshwater)
• Golden Trout — identification & profile (Freshwater)
• Rainbow Trout — identification & profile (Freshwater)