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Lake Trout

Lake Trout

Lake Trout are actually a char species native to Vermont's deep, cold lakes. These apex predators can live over 70 years and reach substantial sizes, with specimens exceeding 10 pounds considered trophy fish in Vermont.

Scientific Name: Salvelinus namaycush

Also known as togue, Mackinaw trout, touladi

Physical Characteristics:
  • Can reach substantial sizes, with specimens exceeding 10 pounds considered trophy fish in Vermont.
  • Lake Champlain typically yields fish 18-24 inches in length.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Native to Vermont's deep, cold lakes.
  • All 25 Vermont lakes containing Lake Trout rely on hatchery stockings to sustain populations.

Key Locations

  • Vermont's most productive Lake Trout waters are concentrated in the Northeast Kingdom, including Caspian Lake in Orleans County, Maidstone and Seymour lakes, and Lake Willoughby in Essex County.
  • Lake Champlain also supports an excellent fishery, typically yielding fish 18-24 inches in length.

Specific Spots

  • Target structure, drop-offs, and suspended fish.
  • Shoreline structure and islands.
  • Rocky shorelines and reefs during spawning season.

Lake Trout FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Lake Trout in Vermont?

Crankbaits, stickbaits, or spoons. Heavy spoons in gold, silver, chartreuse/silver, or pink/silver combinations. Large flatfish lures (5.5+ inches) in natural silver, white, or patterns imitating rainbow trout or perch. Big bucktail jigs (1-2 oz) designed for saltwater.

When is the best time to fish for Lake Trout in Vermont?

Spring: fish move to shallower water after ice-out before retreating to deeper zones as temperatures rise. Summer: head to deep water. Fall: waters cool and trout migrate toward rocky shorelines and reefs for spawning. Winter: ice fishing season.

How do you catch Lake Trout in Vermont?

Trolling lures around shoreline structure and islands before water temperatures rise above the low-50s. Jigging buck-tail jigs and spoons is effective for deep trout. For ice fishing, jig spoons and jigs or fish live baitfish under tip-ups. Trolling or slow retrieval with large flatfish lures.

What do Lake Trout eat?

Their diet progresses from zooplankton as juveniles to aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates, eventually becoming primarily piscivorous. In deep lakes without forage fish during summer, they rely heavily on zooplankton, resulting in slower growth.

Where do Lake Trout live in Vermont?

Native to Vermont's deep, cold lakes. All 25 Vermont lakes containing Lake Trout rely on hatchery stockings to sustain populations.

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