Lake trout

Lake trout (*Salvelinus namaycush*) is a freshwater char native to northern North America, especially Canada and Alaska, and also found in the Great Lakes region.

Lake trout (*Salvelinus namaycush*) is a freshwater char native to northern North America, especially Canada and Alaska, and also found in the Great Lakes region. It inhabits cold, deep lakes and is known by several common names, including laker, mackinaw, togue, and grey trout. The species is strongly associated with Canada, where it is an important sport and commercial fish in several regions.

Taxonomy and naming

Lake trout (*Salvelinus namaycush*) belongs to the salmon family and is classified as a char rather than a true trout. Common names vary by region, including laker, mackinaw, togue, and grey trout.

Distribution and habitat

The species is native to northern North America, with strong associations to Canada and Alaska. It lives in cold, deep, well-oxygenated lakes and is sometimes found in connected rivers.

Physical characteristics

Lake trout are long-bodied fish with light spots on a darker background; some individuals are more silvery, making the markings less visible. They can reach large sizes, with maximum lengths reported at about 106 cm.

Ecology and life history

Adult lake trout are predators that mainly eat fish and aquatic invertebrates. They spawn in fall or winter depending on the population, usually over clean rocky or gravelly lake bottoms.

Human use and conservation

Lake trout have long been valued as a sport and commercial fish in some regions. Populations in parts of the Great Lakes were reduced by overfishing and sea lamprey impacts, and management and restoration efforts have been important in some areas.