Lake Trout
Salvelinus namaycush
The largest of the char species, lake trout are deep, cold-water dwellers that can live for decades and grow to enormous sizes in the Great Lakes and large northern lakes of Canada. Anglers typically target them by trolling or jigging deep structure in summer.
Deep, cold lake basins; suspends near thermoclines in summer.
Lake Trout Habitat & Size
Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush) is associated with lake water in the species record. Habitat information describes the species, not permission to fish for it. The recorded average size is approximately 24 inches; individual sizes vary.
Recorded Waters for Lake Trout
FishFinder links Lake Trout to water records in Alaska, Alberta, British Columbia, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Manitoba, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ohio, Ontario, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Quebec, Saskatchewan, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and Yukon. These associations may reflect documented presence, seasonal runs, or historical stocking, not angler catch reports or current abundance. Read the linked water guides and source notes for evidence dates and reaches.
Lake Trout Fishing Regulations & Limits
A recorded association does not establish that targeting or retaining Lake Trout is permitted. Confirm current species protections, seasonal and emergency closures, reach-specific rules, gear restrictions, bag and size limits with the responsible fisheries authority before fishing. A fishing license does not override these restrictions. FishFinder's regulation records may be incomplete; missing rules do not mean unrestricted fishing.
Related Water Guides for Lake Trout
Explore these FishFinder water guides for places where Lake Trout is recorded:
- Lake Erie — recorded Lake Trout association
- Lake Tahoe — recorded Lake Trout association
- Flathead Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Lake Ontario — recorded Lake Trout association
- Rainy Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Eagle Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Red Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Lake Nipigon — recorded Lake Trout association
- Lake Superior — recorded Lake Trout association
- Lake Temagami — recorded Lake Trout association
- Lady Evelyn Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Lake Manitou — recorded Lake Trout association
- Georgian Bay — recorded Lake Trout association
- Lake Opeongo — recorded Lake Trout association
- Lake Muskoka — recorded Lake Trout association
- Lake Rosseau — recorded Lake Trout association
- Lake Joseph — recorded Lake Trout association
- Lake Simcoe — recorded Lake Trout association
- Niagara River — recorded Lake Trout association
- Big Rideau Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Shuswap Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Quesnel Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Babine Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Stuart Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Williston Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Upper Kananaskis Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Cold Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Lake Athabasca — recorded Lake Trout association
- East Trout Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Little Bear Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Amisk Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Lac la Ronge — recorded Lake Trout association
- Churchill River — recorded Lake Trout association
- Reindeer Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Wollaston Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Cree Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Black Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Tazin Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Selwyn Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Fond du Lac River — recorded Lake Trout association
- West Hawk Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Clearwater Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Wekusko Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Kississing Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- First Cranberry Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Gods Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Nueltin Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Molson Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Lac Aylmer — recorded Lake Trout association
- Lac Memphrémagog — recorded Lake Trout association
- Lac Massawippi — recorded Lake Trout association
- Lac Archambault — recorded Lake Trout association
- Lac Ouareau — recorded Lake Trout association
- Lac Manitou — recorded Lake Trout association
- Lac des Trente et Un Milles — recorded Lake Trout association
- Grand lac Nominingue — recorded Lake Trout association
- Réservoir Baskatong — recorded Lake Trout association
- Lac Kipawa — recorded Lake Trout association
- Réservoir Gouin — recorded Lake Trout association
- Lac Saint-Jean — recorded Lake Trout association
- Lac Kénogami — recorded Lake Trout association
- Sherbrooke Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Churchill River (Labrador) — recorded Lake Trout association
- Naskaupi River — recorded Lake Trout association
- Smallwood Reservoir — recorded Lake Trout association
- Ashuanipi Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Atikonak Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Big Kalzas Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Earn Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Finlayson Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Simpson Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Aishihik Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Kluane Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Kusawa Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Lake Laberge — recorded Lake Trout association
- Marsh Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Frances Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Ethel Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Mayo Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Tagish Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Quiet Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Wolf Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Big Salmon Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Atlin Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Dezadeash Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Braeburn Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Little Atlin Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Wellesley Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Lower Kathleen Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Teslin River at Johnsons Crossing — recorded Lake Trout association
- Mandanna Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Fox Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Little Salmon Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Fish Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Teslin Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Tatlmain Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Frenchman Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Snafu Lakes — recorded Lake Trout association
- Pine Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Great Slave Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Stark Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Alexie Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Chitty Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Prelude Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Prosperous Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Tibbitt Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Johnston Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Yellowknife River — recorded Lake Trout association
- Cameron River — recorded Lake Trout association
- Trout Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Cli Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Lac la Martre — recorded Lake Trout association
- Lac Grandin — recorded Lake Trout association
- Aylmer Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Clinton-Colden Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Artillery Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Mackay Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Point Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Nonacho Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Great Bear Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Colville Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Dolomite Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Husky Lakes — recorded Lake Trout association
- Coppermine River — recorded Lake Trout association
- Greiner Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Meliadine River — recorded Lake Trout association
- Diana River — recorded Lake Trout association
- Baker Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Kenai Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Kvichak River — recorded Lake Trout association
- Blue Mesa Reservoir — recorded Lake Trout association
- Lake Granby — recorded Lake Trout association
- Grand Lake (Colorado) — recorded Lake Trout association
- Ruedi Reservoir — recorded Lake Trout association
- West Hill Pond — recorded Lake Trout association
- Lake Pend Oreille — recorded Lake Trout association
- Priest Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Bear Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Lake Michigan (Illinois Waters) — recorded Lake Trout association
- Lake Michigan (Indiana Waters) — recorded Lake Trout association
- Dale Hollow Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Sebago Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Moosehead Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Rangeley Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- East Grand Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- West Grand Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Moose River (Maine) — recorded Lake Trout association
- Chamberlain Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Eagle Lake (Maine) — recorded Lake Trout association
- Quabbin Reservoir — recorded Lake Trout association
- Wachusett Reservoir — recorded Lake Trout association
- Higgins Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Torch Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Lake Superior (Minnesota) — recorded Lake Trout association
- Basswood Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Saganaga Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Fort Peck Reservoir — recorded Lake Trout association
- Lake Tahoe (Nevada) — recorded Lake Trout association
- Lake Winnipesaukee — recorded Lake Trout association
- Squam Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Newfound Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Sunapee Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Winnisquam Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Merrymeeting Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- First Connecticut Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Lake Francis — recorded Lake Trout association
- Nubanusit Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Silver Lake (New Hampshire) — recorded Lake Trout association
- Spofford Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Lake Waukewan — recorded Lake Trout association
- Great East Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Round Valley Reservoir — recorded Lake Trout association
- Merrill Creek Reservoir — recorded Lake Trout association
- Heron Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Lake Erie (New York) — recorded Lake Trout association
- Lake Ontario (New York) — recorded Lake Trout association
- Upper Niagara River — recorded Lake Trout association
- Lower Niagara River — recorded Lake Trout association
- Lake Champlain — recorded Lake Trout association
- Seneca Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Cayuga Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Keuka Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Canandaigua Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Owasco Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Skaneateles Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Lake George (New York) — recorded Lake Trout association
- Schroon Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Otsego Lake (New York) — recorded Lake Trout association
- Odell Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Wallowa Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Harveys Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Pactola Reservoir — recorded Lake Trout association
- Deerfield Reservoir — recorded Lake Trout association
- South Holston Reservoir — recorded Lake Trout association
- Watauga Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Flaming Gorge Reservoir — recorded Lake Trout association
- Fish Lake (Utah) — recorded Lake Trout association
- Lake Chelan — recorded Lake Trout association
- Lake Michigan (Wisconsin Waters) — recorded Lake Trout association
- Lake Superior (Wisconsin Waters) — recorded Lake Trout association
- Geneva Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Big Green Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
- Halfmoon Lake (Wyoming) — recorded Lake Trout association
- Jackson Lake (Wyoming) — recorded Lake Trout association
- Palisades Reservoir (Wyoming) — recorded Lake Trout association
- Lower Slide Lake — recorded Lake Trout association
Equipment planning for Lake Trout
We have not selected a species-specific affiliate setup for this guide. First establish whether targeting is permitted at your destination; no tackle recommendation should be inferred from a species record.
Equipment guidance is not permission to fish. Confirm the exact water, date, species, method and current official rules first. A closed season prohibits targeting, even with release. Recorded fish presence does not establish an open fishery.
- Check permitted methods, bait and hook restrictions before choosing tackle. Match rod, line and lure ratings to the lawful method and conditions, rather than buying by species name alone.
- Plan weather protection, drinking water and a way to call for help. For boat trips, confirm required flotation and safety equipment with the responsible boating authority.
- Read the habitat and water-specific source notes in this guide, then confirm an appropriate lawful method with the local fisheries authority before choosing equipment. Do not assume a general freshwater combo suits every species or water.
This is an editorial planning checklist, not hands-on product testing. Use equipment you already own when suitable. The gear directory contains affiliate links; any product suggestions below have their own disclosure. Retailer region, availability and Canadian shipping are not guaranteed.
Browse the gear directory · Find official fishing-rule sources · Affiliate disclosure
Lake Trout Regulations
Review available regulation records and confirm whether fishing for Lake Trout is permitted with the responsible fisheries authority:
Frequently Asked Questions
What water types are associated with Lake Trout?
The species record associates Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush) with lake water. Habitat information is not evidence of current abundance or permission to target the species.
How big does Lake Trout get?
The recorded average size for Lake Trout is approximately 24 inches. Individual sizes vary; this average is not a maximum size or a legal retention limit.
Where does FishFinder record water associations for Lake Trout?
FishFinder links Lake Trout to water records in Alaska, Alberta, British Columbia, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Manitoba, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ohio, Ontario, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Quebec, Saskatchewan, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and Yukon. These associations may reflect documented presence, seasonal runs, or historical stocking, not angler catch reports. Check the linked water guides and source notes for evidence dates and reaches; a listing does not guarantee current presence or legal fishing opportunity.
Does a listing or fishing license permit fishing for Lake Trout?
No. A listing records an association, not permission to target or retain Lake Trout. License requirements and exemptions vary. Confirm current species protections, seasonal and emergency closures, reach-specific rules, gear restrictions, bag and size limits with the responsible fisheries authority. A license does not override restrictions, and missing FishFinder regulation records do not mean unrestricted fishing.