
Lake Trout
Uncover the underwater champions of the cool, deep lakes!

The Basics
Scientific Name
Salvelinus namaycush
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Location
North America
Average size
20 to 30 inches long
diet
Smaller fish, aquatic insects
lifespan
10 to 20 years
Let’s Explore
Overview
Lake trout are amazing fish that swim in the cool, deep waters of North America. Known scientifically as Salvelinus namaycush, these fish can grow to impressive lengths of 20 to 30 inches (50 to 76 centimeters).
Lake trout belong to the family Salmonidae, which also includes salmon and char. They typically live for 10 to 20 years, making them quite the long-living fish in the water!
These fish have a delicious diet that mostly includes smaller fish and aquatic insects, making them skilled hunters of their underwater realm. They use their keen eyesight to spot tasty treats drifting or swimming by.
Lake trout prefer cold, clean lakes. They enjoy deeper waters during warmer months and often move closer to the surface when it gets chilly. You can say they love to take a cool dip!
With their streamlined bodies and spotted skin, lake trout not only look fantastic, but they also swim like champions. These fish are known to make swift, agile movements to catch their prey.
Lake trout spawn in shallow waters during the fall, laying their eggs in gravel beds. When the eggs hatch, the young fry are ready to join the underwater adventure right away!
Next time you think about fish, remember the incredible lake trout. These fin-tastic swimmers make our lakes lively and exciting with their unique presence and playful antics!
Where can you find a Lake Trout in the wild?
What does a Lake Trout eat?
How big can a Lake Trout grow?
How long does a Lake Trout typically live?
What is the conservation status of the Lake Trout?
What are the main threats to the Lake Trout?
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