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.
How to Catch Lake Trout
Whether you're new to targeting Lake Trout or refining your approach, success starts with matching your tactics to where the fish lives. Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush) is typically found in lake water, so concentrate your effort where those conditions line up. Mature Lake Trout average around 24 inches, which helps you choose the right line, lure size, and tackle for the fight.
Where to Find Lake Trout in the USA & Canada
Lake Trout is recorded across a range of North American waters, including spots 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. Browse the linked water guides below to see the specific lakes, rivers, and coastal waters where anglers report catching Lake Trout, then plan a trip around the water closest to you.
Lake Trout Fishing Regulations & Limits
Fishing rules for Lake Trout vary by state and province. Before you head out, check the daily bag limits, minimum size limits, and open seasons that apply in your area. When FishFinder has matching records, the regulations link below takes you to the rules hub. Following local limits keeps Lake Trout populations healthy for future seasons.
Related Water Guides for Lake Trout
Explore these FishFinder water guides for places where Lake Trout is recorded:
- Lake Erie — Lake Trout fishing water
- Lake Tahoe — Lake Trout fishing water
- Flathead Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Lake Ontario — Lake Trout fishing water
- Rainy Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Eagle Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Red Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Lake Nipigon — Lake Trout fishing water
- Lake Superior — Lake Trout fishing water
- Lake Temagami — Lake Trout fishing water
- Lady Evelyn Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Lake Manitou — Lake Trout fishing water
- Georgian Bay — Lake Trout fishing water
- Lake Opeongo — Lake Trout fishing water
- Lake Muskoka — Lake Trout fishing water
- Lake Rosseau — Lake Trout fishing water
- Lake Joseph — Lake Trout fishing water
- Lake Simcoe — Lake Trout fishing water
- Niagara River — Lake Trout fishing water
- Big Rideau Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Shuswap Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Quesnel Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Babine Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Stuart Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Williston Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Upper Kananaskis Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Cold Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Lake Athabasca — Lake Trout fishing water
- East Trout Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Little Bear Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Amisk Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Lac la Ronge — Lake Trout fishing water
- Churchill River — Lake Trout fishing water
- Reindeer Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Wollaston Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Cree Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Black Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Tazin Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Selwyn Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Fond du Lac River — Lake Trout fishing water
- West Hawk Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Clearwater Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Wekusko Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Kississing Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- First Cranberry Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Gods Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Nueltin Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Molson Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Lac Aylmer — Lake Trout fishing water
- Lac Memphrémagog — Lake Trout fishing water
- Lac Massawippi — Lake Trout fishing water
- Lac Archambault — Lake Trout fishing water
- Lac Ouareau — Lake Trout fishing water
- Lac Manitou — Lake Trout fishing water
- Lac des Trente et Un Milles — Lake Trout fishing water
- Grand lac Nominingue — Lake Trout fishing water
- Réservoir Baskatong — Lake Trout fishing water
- Lac Kipawa — Lake Trout fishing water
- Réservoir Gouin — Lake Trout fishing water
- Lac Saint-Jean — Lake Trout fishing water
- Lac Kénogami — Lake Trout fishing water
- Sherbrooke Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Churchill River (Labrador) — Lake Trout fishing water
- Naskaupi River — Lake Trout fishing water
- Smallwood Reservoir — Lake Trout fishing water
- Ashuanipi Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Atikonak Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Big Kalzas Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Earn Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Finlayson Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Simpson Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Aishihik Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Kluane Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Kusawa Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Lake Laberge — Lake Trout fishing water
- Marsh Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Frances Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Ethel Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Mayo Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Tagish Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Quiet Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Wolf Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Big Salmon Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Atlin Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Dezadeash Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Braeburn Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Little Atlin Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Wellesley Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Lower Kathleen Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Teslin River at Johnsons Crossing — Lake Trout fishing water
- Mandanna Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Fox Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Little Salmon Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Fish Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Teslin Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Tatlmain Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Frenchman Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Snafu Lakes — Lake Trout fishing water
- Pine Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Great Slave Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Stark Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Alexie Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Chitty Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Prelude Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Prosperous Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Tibbitt Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Johnston Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Yellowknife River — Lake Trout fishing water
- Cameron River — Lake Trout fishing water
- Trout Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Cli Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Lac la Martre — Lake Trout fishing water
- Lac Grandin — Lake Trout fishing water
- Aylmer Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Clinton-Colden Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Artillery Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Mackay Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Point Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Nonacho Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Great Bear Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Colville Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Dolomite Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Husky Lakes — Lake Trout fishing water
- Coppermine River — Lake Trout fishing water
- Greiner Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Meliadine River — Lake Trout fishing water
- Diana River — Lake Trout fishing water
- Baker Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Kenai Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Kvichak River — Lake Trout fishing water
- Blue Mesa Reservoir — Lake Trout fishing water
- Lake Granby — Lake Trout fishing water
- Grand Lake (Colorado) — Lake Trout fishing water
- Ruedi Reservoir — Lake Trout fishing water
- West Hill Pond — Lake Trout fishing water
- Lake Pend Oreille — Lake Trout fishing water
- Priest Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Bear Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Lake Michigan (Illinois Waters) — Lake Trout fishing water
- Lake Michigan (Indiana Waters) — Lake Trout fishing water
- Dale Hollow Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Sebago Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Moosehead Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Rangeley Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- East Grand Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- West Grand Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Moose River (Maine) — Lake Trout fishing water
- Chamberlain Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Eagle Lake (Maine) — Lake Trout fishing water
- Quabbin Reservoir — Lake Trout fishing water
- Wachusett Reservoir — Lake Trout fishing water
- Higgins Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Torch Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Lake Superior (Minnesota) — Lake Trout fishing water
- Basswood Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Saganaga Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Fort Peck Reservoir — Lake Trout fishing water
- Lake Tahoe (Nevada) — Lake Trout fishing water
- Lake Winnipesaukee — Lake Trout fishing water
- Squam Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Newfound Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Sunapee Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Winnisquam Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Merrymeeting Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- First Connecticut Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Lake Francis — Lake Trout fishing water
- Nubanusit Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Silver Lake (New Hampshire) — Lake Trout fishing water
- Spofford Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Lake Waukewan — Lake Trout fishing water
- Great East Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Round Valley Reservoir — Lake Trout fishing water
- Merrill Creek Reservoir — Lake Trout fishing water
- Heron Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Lake Erie (New York) — Lake Trout fishing water
- Lake Ontario (New York) — Lake Trout fishing water
- Upper Niagara River — Lake Trout fishing water
- Lower Niagara River — Lake Trout fishing water
- Lake Champlain — Lake Trout fishing water
- Seneca Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Cayuga Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Keuka Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Canandaigua Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Owasco Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Skaneateles Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Lake George (New York) — Lake Trout fishing water
- Schroon Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Otsego Lake (New York) — Lake Trout fishing water
- Odell Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Wallowa Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Harveys Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Pactola Reservoir — Lake Trout fishing water
- Deerfield Reservoir — Lake Trout fishing water
- South Holston Reservoir — Lake Trout fishing water
- Watauga Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Flaming Gorge Reservoir — Lake Trout fishing water
- Fish Lake (Utah) — Lake Trout fishing water
- Lake Chelan — Lake Trout fishing water
- Lake Michigan (Wisconsin Waters) — Lake Trout fishing water
- Lake Superior (Wisconsin Waters) — Lake Trout fishing water
- Geneva Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Big Green Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
- Halfmoon Lake (Wyoming) — Lake Trout fishing water
- Jackson Lake (Wyoming) — Lake Trout fishing water
- Palisades Reservoir (Wyoming) — Lake Trout fishing water
- Lower Slide Lake — Lake Trout fishing water
Lake Trout Regulations
Review current FishFinder regulation records before targeting Lake Trout:
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of water is best for catching Lake Trout?
Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush) is typically found in lake water. Focus your effort where those conditions line up to improve your chances.
How big does Lake Trout get?
Mature Lake Trout average around 24 inches, though individual fish can run larger. Matching your line, lure size, and tackle to that range makes for a better fight and landing rate.
Where can I catch Lake Trout in the USA and Canada?
Lake Trout is reported across North American waters, including spots 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. Check the locations listed on this page to find the lakes, rivers, and coastal waters closest to you.
Do I need a fishing license to catch Lake Trout?
A valid fishing license is required in most US states and Canadian provinces. Daily bag limits, minimum size limits, and open seasons for Lake Trout vary by region, so review the regulations on this page and with your local wildlife authority before heading out.