Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush)
Lake trout are the largest trout native to North
America and are highly sought after by anglers. They are found in over 80 New
York lakes, including Lake George,
which is well known for its lake trout fishery.
Lake trout are elongate fish, with a streamlined body and a distinctly
forked tail. The tops of lake trout are
dark olive to gray-green, which fades into a greenish-bronze, and eventually to
white on the belly. They inhabit deep,
cold lakes, especially those with boulder-strewn or gravel bottoms. In Lake George,
lake trout are generally found in deep, cooler water especially during the
summer and will move into the shallower water only during colder times of the
year.
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Lake trout spawn during the fall on gravel or boulder
bottoms in the lake. Males usually enter
the spawning area first. Unlike other
trout or salmon, no nest is built; instead the bottom is swept clean by the
movement of the fish. After a few days
the female enters the area and several males may spawn in groups with one or
more females. Spawning can last up to a
few weeks.
Lake trout were not always so abundant in Lake
George. In the 1800’s
overfishing and competition from non-native species nearly decimated the lake trout populations, which was later
threatened again by chemicals used such as DDT.
However, since the 1970s lake trout have been successfully reproducing
in Lake George. According to the New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) Angler Diary Program, lake trout catch
rates are high overall.
However, data suggest that the average lake trout size has
declined in recent years. The observed
reduced lake trout size could be due to a variety of factors. Recently, the NYS DEC proposed regulations to reduce the catch size
limit for lake trout from 23 inches to 21 inches to allow more fish to be
kept. After public meetings, the NYS DEC
decided not to pursue the proposed regulations further because of the split
public opinion. Lake trout growth rates
in Lake George still exceed many other lakes
in the area and catch rates are greater than they have been in the past.
However, the NYS DEC continues to keep a close eye on lake trout populations in
Lake George.
The Lake George Fishing Alliance is interested in hearing about the size of the Lake Trout you are catching in Lake George.
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