Description
Size
- Because lake trout are long-lived and can reach 20 to 25 years of age, the larger ones can exceed 10 kilograms (22 pounds) in weight.
Appearance
- Lake trout are the least colourful of trout. They are grey fish with irregular white spots.
- During the fall spawning season, the fins near the tail become a pale orange.
- Caudal fin is forked.
Natural History
Habitat
- Lake trout are native to many of Alberta's deep cold lakes.
- Lake trout feed near the surface of a lake when the water is cold (spring and fall).
- During the summer, the cold denser water sinks to the bottom of the lake and the trout follow it down.
Food
- Young lake trout feed on freshwater shrimp and other aquatic invertebrates.
- Larger lake trout eat other species of fish, mostly whitefish and cisco (tullibee)
Reproduction and Growth
Growth Process
- Lake trout grow very slowly, and often don't mature until they are 8 to 10 years of age.
Conservation and Management
Status
Lake trout are classified as Sensitive in the General Status of Alberta Wild Species report. See:
Issues
- Species somewhat limited by the small number of deep, cold lakes in Alberta.
- Because of this late age of spawning, heavy fishing pressure can seriously deplete lake trout populations. As the main threat to populations is over-harvest, angling is now regulated.
Current management
Fish Sustainability Index
Alberta's lake trout populations have been assessed under the Fish Sustainability Index, see:
Fishing
Lake trout are cold-water game fish subject to current Alberta sportfishing regulations. For details, see the My Wild Alberta website at:
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