Lake Trout
Lake Trout are Alaska's largest freshwater fish and the biggest members of the char family, closely related to Dolly Varden, brook trout, and Arctic char. In Alaska, they represent the northern and western edge of their native North American range.
These powerful predators are opportunistic with diets varying by age, size, and location.
Scientific Name: Salvelinus namaycush
Distinguished by small, light, irregular-shaped spots on a silvery-to-dark background with deeply forked tails and absence of pink spots. Can exceed 50 pounds - the current state record is 47 pounds from Clarence Lake.
Fish from turbid glacial lakes tend to be smaller.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
Inhabit cold, deep, oligotrophic lakes with sufficient prey and few competitors throughout the Brooks Range, Arctic coastal plain, Upper Tanana, Susitna, Copper River drainages, Bristol Bay, and Kenai Peninsula areas. Notably absent from Yukon-Kuskokwim lowlands and Southeast Alaska coastal drainages. They also thrive in turbid glacial lakes.Key Locations
Brooks Range, Arctic coastal plain, Upper Tanana, Susitna, Copper River drainages, Bristol Bay, and Kenai Peninsula areas. Turbid glacial lakes like Kenai, Klutina, and Tazlina Lakes. The deeper lowland lakes of the central Arctic coastal plain, Brooks Range waters, Alaska Range lakes, clear mountain lakes in northern Alaska, and the turbid glacial lakes of the Chugach Range and Kenai Peninsula.Specific Spots
Inlet and outlet areas, current areas, steep rock walls, inlet/outlet streams, transition zones between substrates and areas with nearby deep water access, along dropoffsLake Trout FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Lake Trout in Alaska?
Bright spinners (Mepps, Pixees, Vibrax), spoons (Bay de Noc Laker Taker, Williams Wabler, white-and-red Daredevles), large crankbaits (Bombers, Rapalas, Reef Runners for deeper water), flasher/fly or flasher/Spin-N-Glo combinations, heavy spoons like Luhr-Jensen Krocodile for casting, tube jigs (preferably white, 1/2...
What flies work for Lake Trout in Alaska?
Large streamers in black with purple or pink accents, or white patterns with contrasting colors - size is critical as bigger lures equal bigger Lake Trout
When is the best time to fish for Lake Trout in Alaska?
Peak seasons from May through September when weather conditions are most favorable. Spring and fall best for shallow-water fishing when surface temperatures around 50°F or cooler. Winter ice fishing is productive. Always practice catch-and-release ethics, especially during September-October spawning periods.
How do you catch Lake Trout in Alaska?
Vertical jigging with tube jigs, trolling at varying speeds through deep water and along dropoffs, casting from shore near current areas, steep rock walls, and inlet/outlet streams. Target transition zones between substrates and areas with nearby deep water access.
What do Lake Trout eat?
Juveniles feed on zooplankton and small invertebrates, while adults consume fish like whitefish, grayling, sticklebacks, sculpins, and even mice, shrews, and young birds
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