Lake Trout

Credit: Gordon Court

Name

  • Common name: Lake Trout
  • Scientific name: Salvelinus namaycush
  • Order: Salmoniformes
  • Subfamily: Salmoninae
  • Indigenous names for this species may be available through the Yukon Native Language Centre. 

Also known as

Laker, Namaycush, Mackinaw, Lake Char

Viewing opportunities

  • Lake Trout are found in nearly all Yukon lakes. You might see them feed in shallow water during the two to three week period after the ice goes out.
  • Interestingly, Lake Trout are not found in northeastern Beringia, otherwise known as parts of the Yukon that were not glaciated.

Description

  • More deeply forked tail than other char.
  • Varies from almost black to greyish or very light green and is sometimes silvery.
  • Heavily spotted with irregularly shaped light spots on back, sides, dorsal, and caudal fins.

Fast facts

  • Length: 40 to 100 cm
  • Weight: 1 to 20 kg
  • Habitat: Freshwater

Conservation status

What is conservation status?

  • Yukon: S4 (Apparently Secure)
  • Global: G5 (Secure)

Yukon population estimate

Not determined.

Behaviour

As their name implies, Lake Trout live almost exclusive in lakes, rarely in rivers. They are a slow growing fish with a low reproduction rate. Fish weighing as little as 1 kg can be found to be more than 30 years old. They spawn in the autumn on rocky shoals.

Diet

Aquatic insects, molluscs, crustaceans and fish.

Distribution

Trout and people

  • Lake Trout, along with Arctic Grayling, are the most frequently sought and harvested fish in the Yukon.
  • Lake Trout in the Yukon are very carefully managed due to their slow growth and low reproduction rates.

Reports

Population assessments:

Was this page helpful?