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Splake

Splake

Splake are fertile hybrids created by crossing brook trout (female) with lake trout (male), classified as game fish in Colorado. These hybrids exhibit characteristics intermediate between their parent species.

Physical Characteristics:

Positive identification possible by counting pyloric caeca (65-85 for splake, compared to 23-55 for brook trout and 93+ for lake trout).

What to know

Key Locations

In Colorado, splake have been documented in 7 different hydrologic units including the Lower Gunnison, South Platte, St. Vrain, Upper Arkansas, and Upper Gunnison watersheds, with observations spanning from 1976 to 2009.

Specific Spots

Target areas including deeper pools, spring-influenced areas, and thermoclines in stratified waters.

Splake FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What flies work for Splake in Colorado?

Effective fly patterns include standard Colorado trout flies such as Pheasant Tail Nymphs, Hare's Ear Nymphs, Copper Johns, Prince Nymphs, and Woolly Buggers for subsurface presentations. For dry flies, Parachute Adams, Elk Hair Caddis, Blue Wing Olives, and Pale Morning Duns work well when splake are surface feeding.

When is the best time to fish for Splake in Colorado?

Splake fishing in Colorado is most productive during spring through fall, with summer offering peak opportunities when water temperatures reach their preferred range around 54°F. Spawning typically occurs in fall (October-November) when splake should be avoided to prevent disturbance of reproductive activities.

How do you catch Splake in Colorado?

In Colorado waters where splake are present, they can be caught using similar techniques to those used for brook and lake trout, though their hybrid nature may make them somewhat less predictable than pure strains.

What do Splake eat?

Diet consists primarily of invertebrates during their first year, then switching to fish forage including smelts, white perch, yellow perch, crayfish, sunfish, and minnows. Splake exhibit very flexible feeding habits and are opportunistic predators.

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  1. 01 · Species map filter

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    Pick Splake and the map zeroes in on the waters they call home. No more guessing which lake holds them.

  2. 02 · Waterbody species

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  3. 03 · Angler Intelligence

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    Tactics, gear and timing from onWater's AI fishing guide, tuned to the species and the water you're on.

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Colorado licenses and regulations

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