Lake Trout Fishing in Canada

Lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) is one of Canada’s largest freshwater fish. Distribution occurs in northern British Columbia, the Yukon and Northwest Territories, the Atlantic provinces and Labrador. The habitat of natural populations includes inland lakes of the Northwest Territories and large, deep lakes such as Lake Superior.

  1. Identification

    • The lake trout’s size can correspond to the size of its lake. Lake trout can measure between 14 and 16 inches in length in small lakes; their larger counterparts can measure more than 39 inches in larger lakes. In the Northwest Territories, the lake trout's weight averages 10 pounds, but 40 pounds is common.

      Also known as laker, grey trout, Mackinaw trout, salmon trout, this fish features a large, round head, elongated body shape and forked tail. Their skin has small scales with colors ranging from light green or gray, dark green-brown or almost black. The belly can be a milky cream color. Lighter color spots fleck the body. Lifespan may exceed 50 years.

    Behavior

    • As “Canada’s Northern Game Fish,” these cold-water fish prefer water temperatures of approximately 50 degrees Fahrenheit. After ice-out, lake trout linger near shallow water, between the surface and 20 feet deep. They pursue bait fish such as herring-like ciscoes and minnows that feed close to the surface and shore. In mid-spring, they linger from 35 to 45 feet deep. In summer with rising lake temperatures, they retreat to cooler water at depths that can range from 45 to 60 feet. As the lake cools in the fall, they return to the shallow water by rocky shorelines and reefs. Lake trout congregate in rivers and shallow river entrances where they circle in single file. After spawning and depositing eggs, they winter in the main lake.

    Diet

    • Lake trout feed at dawn and dusk. Diet for the young includes crayfish, water bugs, freshwater shrimp and worms. Depending on the habitat, mature lake trout may feed on small fish such as ciscoes, sculpin, minnows and white fish. If lake trout are the only species around, they prey on their own kind.

    Fishing Gear

    • For spring, consider medium-weight spinning gear for bottom-fishing with dead ciscoes. Attach live minnows under a float. For trolling, use spinners with minnows. For spin casting or trolling attach white bucktail jigs, crankbaits or shiny spoons. Summer fishing techniques include trolling with bottom bouncers or with three-ounce spoons. For vertical jigging, include spoons or jigs with minnow or cut bait. In the fall, trolling with varied slow and medium speeds can attract the lake trout. On clear days, use tackle with natural colors of green, blue and black.

    Sites

    • Lake Superior offers the only strong natural lake trout population of all the Great Lakes. In the Northwest Territories, Great Bear Lake and Slave Lake are also favored among large inland lakes. In 1995, a 72-pound lake trout at Great Bear Lake achieved a world record. Field & Stream magazine honored Lake Athabasca, with its nutrient-rich inland delta, as the number one destination for trophy lakers in North America.

    History and Conservation

    • Large-scale commercial lake trout fisheries have included the Great Lakes and other large lakes. The gill net method uses large mesh nets left overnight to snare fish. Extensive fishing diminished populations. In the sport fishery, seasonal closures ensure spawning populations. According to Fisheries and Oceans Canada, governments stock lakes and use hatcheries to increase and sustain populations in lakes.