Lake Trout

Clouser Deep Minnow (the most effective pattern, particularly in orange/white, red/white, and grey/white with tinsel), rabbit fur strip leeches for their undulating action, black Woolly Buggers, Lefty's Big Fish Deceiver in larger sizes up to 5.5 inches, and Mike's Meal Ticket articulated pattern

Best from April through June when water temperatures are still cool and fish are active in upper lake layers, though they can also be caught through ice during winter months when they're closer to the surface. During spawning period from September through November, anglers should avoid targeting them.

Trolling with downriggers for deep water fishing. Jigging with large spoons or soft plastics works well, especially in colder months when they're feeding closer to the bottom. When trolling flies, use intermediate sink tip lines for shallow water early season.

As top predators, they feed on a variety of prey including zooplankton, small crustaceans, insects, and fish such as alewife, rainbow smelt, whitefish, grayling, sticklebacks, smelt, and suckers. Their diet varies seasonally - they're opportunistic feeders that will target whatever prey is abundant.

Originally native to Lake Erie and historically reported from Silver Lake in Susquehanna County, both original native stocks are now believed extinct, though stocking efforts continue to support populations in Lake Erie.