Lake Trout

Latin Name

Salvelinus namaycush

Group Name

Freshwater

Taxonomy details

Habitat

Lake trout are a species of char with a wide distribution in the cooler northern regions of North America. They are found throughout Canada, from the Atlantic provinces to the Great Lakes and all the way to the West Coast, including in the Rocky Mountains. Lake trout are also found quite far north, even occurring on arctic islands. They tend to prefer cold water (about 10 degrees Celsius), and live mostly in large, deep lakes, though occasionally they are found in shallower bodies of water and large rivers.

Species Description

Lake trout resemble other char or trout in shape, with a fairly elongated body, a large mouth and an indented tail. Their coloration varies from olive to grey or brown, dappled with white or yellowish spots. Normally they are darker on their dorsal side and lighter on their flanks, becoming white on their underside. Lake trout can grow to nearly a metre in length and weigh more than 20 kilograms, but they average 38 to 51 centimetres and 4.5 kilograms. Lake trout often live to more than 20 years of age.