Lake Trout
Salvelinus namaycush
- Look for a dark body covered with pale yellow or cream-colored spots. These irregular light spots on a dark background are a key feature of lake trout.
- Fish caught with unusually dark, muddy coloration are sometimes called 'mud hens,' which can help confirm the species when combined with other features.
- Lake trout are a type of char, not a true trout, so look for the characteristic light spots on a dark background rather than dark spots on a light background as seen on brown or rainbow trout.
- Lake trout caught in Lake Superior may appear noticeably different in body shape and fat content depending on their local form, known regionally as siscowet, paperbelly, or lean.