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Lake Trout
Salvelinus namaycush
16–24 inches
Typical Length
2–8 lbs
Typical Weight
January 1 (inland lakes vary)
Season Opens
N/A
% of MN Lakes
Lake trout are a cold-water species found in Minnesota's deepest, cleanest lakes. These glacial relics require cold, oxygen-rich water and represent some of the state's most pristine aquatic habitats.
Habitat
Lake trout need deep, cold lakes with water temperatures below 50°F. They're found in the deep basins of northeastern Minnesota lakes, often at depths of 40–100+ feet during summer. They move shallow briefly during fall spawning.
When to Fish
Best months: May, June, September, October
Season opens: January 1 (inland lakes vary)
Right after ice-out, lake trout can be caught in shallow water. By summer, you'll need downriggers or heavy jigs to reach them in the depths. Fall spawning runs offer another shallow-water opportunity.
Did You Know?
- Lake trout can live over 60 years, making them one of the longest-lived freshwater fish in North America.
- They spawn on rocky reefs in the fall, unlike most trout species that spawn in streams.
- Minnesota's lake trout lakes are relics of the last Ice Age — the fish have been in these waters for over 10,000 years.
Minnesota State Record
43 lbs 8 oz (Lake Superior, 1955)
Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush) is a gamefish species found in Minnesota lakes and rivers. The Minnesota state record is 43 lbs 8 oz (Lake Superior, 1955).