Lake Trout
Last updated by justincarl on 3/14/2020 2:24:32 PM
Lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) is a freshwater char living mainly in lakes in northern North America. Commonly called a "laker" it is prized as both a game and food fish. The world record (netted) weighed almost 102 pounds with a length of 50 inches. The largest caught on a rod and reel was 72 pounds, caught in Great Bear Lake. 15–40-pound fish are common. The average length is 24–36 inches (61–91 centimetres) and 5-15 pounds. The current Minnesota state record is 43.5 pounds (caught in 1955, Lake Superior).
Lake trout inhabit cold, clear, deep, oxygen-rich waters which are common in the BWCA. Along with Northern Pike, Walleye, and Smallmouth Bass, they are one of the four species most commonly sought by anglers in the BWCA. They can be caught in open water or through the ice. Lakers are known for hitting baits hard and putting up a good fight. Common tactics include casting or trolling spoons, crankbaits or spinners, vertical jigging, or live or preserved bait. For lakes entirely in the BWCA, fishing seasons typically last from January 1-March 31, and from early May to September 30. The posession limit is normally 2. A Minnesota state fishing license and trout stamp are required when fishing for lake trout. Consult the Minnesota state fishing regulations for details and exceptions on seasons, licensing requirements, posession limits, legal tactics, and lake-specific regulations: https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/rlp/regulations/fishing/fishing_regs.pdf#view=fit&pagemode=bookmarks).
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