Splake
Splake are a hatchery-produced hybrid between lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) and brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), first introduced to Maine waters in 1958 at Long Pond in Washington County.
This genetically stable hybrid has been culturally produced since the 1870s and while capable of reproduction, successful spawning has never been documented outside hatchery environments in Maine.
Scientific Name: Salvelinus namaycush x Salvelinus fontinalis
- Splake typically range 10-18 inches in Maine but can exceed 10 pounds, growing faster than either parent species and surviving to older ages than stocked brook trout.
- They exhibit hybrid vigor with faster growth rates, reaching 18 inches in just 2 years after stocking.
Fishing in Maine
Penobscot River
Kennebec River
Penobscot Bay
Fields Pond
Pushaw Lake
Bagaduce River
Kenduskeag Stream
Hermon Pond
Union River Bay
Silver Lake
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Maine currently manages approximately 53 waters primarily for splake across 13 of the state's 16 counties.
- Found primarily in mesotrophic and oligotrophic lakes and ponds, avoiding eutrophic waters.
Key Locations
- Moosehead Lake area (Region E), Ragged Lake, Basin Pond (where state record was caught), Long Pond in Washington County, numerous lakes throughout central and northern Maine.
Specific Spots
- During summer months they inhabit the thermocline and hypolimnion layers, typically 20-40 feet deep.
- Can be found at most any location during winter season.
Splake FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Splake in Maine?
Small Mooselook Wobbler spoons (2-inch) in smelt-imitating colors, 7mm tungsten jigheads paired with 2-inch Pin Smelt Swimbaits or 1-inch Gulp Minnows, smelts, minnows, and small jigs for ice fishing.
What flies work for Splake in Maine?
Smelt-imitating streamers like Governor Aikens streamers, Black Ghosts, and Grey Ghost smelt patterns.
When is the best time to fish for Splake in Maine?
Spring and fall when they move to shallower water. Winter provides outstanding ice fishing opportunities, as over 90% of splake waters are open to ice fishing. October is spawning time (a time to avoid targeting them).
How do you catch Splake in Maine?
Trolling with lead core line, vertical jigging, tandem streamer setups when trolling from canoes or small boats, ice fishing within 15 feet below the ice.
What do Splake eat?
Their diet shifts from invertebrates in the first year to primarily fish forage, feeding most commonly on smelts and white perch, along with yellow perch, crayfish, sunfish, and minnows.
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