LAKE TROUT 



Cristivomer namaycush (Walbaum) 



The lake trout, or togue as it is known in Maine, was originally distributed 

 in northern New England. This fish is usually found in large, cold-water lakes 

 where it grows to a huge size, specimens up to 80 pounds in weight having been 

 recorded. Ranking as the second largest of the salmon and trout family, the 

 lake trout is exceeded in size only by the king salmon. 



Mainly a lake feeder and spawner, they rarely enter fresh-water streams. 

 Although the adults may be caught near the surface during the spring and fall 

 turnovers, for the most part they are found in the colder, deeper waters of the 

 lakes. Spawning takes place in the fall from late September through November. 

 At this time the fish move into the spawning areas usually off a point over 

 gravelly bottom where there is some wave action. They have been recorded as 

 spawning in depths from a few inches to over 100 feet. At the time of spawn- 

 ing the males and females apparently swim together in groups with a crowding 

 together at the time the eggs are spawned and fertilized. There is no parental 

 care of the eggs which drop to the lake bottom to become lodged between 

 stones and in crevices. 



A voracious feeder the lake trout lives principally on such fishes as the smelt 

 and whitefish. 



The male lake trout usually is mature by six years of age and the female by 

 seven. Length at maturity varies with the individual lakes ranging anywhere 

 from 15 to 30 inches. The following figures taken from fish from two Maine 

 lakes give the total length in inches for the age listed: 



Age IV 



Moosehead 11.0 



Branch 15.4 



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