Lake Trout
The largest char in North America, stocked in deep, cold lakes and reservoirs where it can grow for decades.
- Scientific name
- Salvelinus namaycush
- Family
- Salmonidae
- Adult size
- Commonly 18–30 inches; capable of exceeding 20 pounds in productive lakes.
Identification
Deeply forked tail, pale spots on a dark gray-green to greenish-brown body — the opposite pattern of dark spots seen in brown or rainbow trout.
Habitat
Deep, cold lakes and reservoirs; spends most of its time well below the surface except during spring and fall.
Diet
Primarily other fish once mature; smaller lake trout eat insects and zooplankton.
Angling
Typically targeted by deep trolling or jigging; older individuals can be true trophies given the species' slow growth and long lifespan.
Where Lake Trout is stocked
When Lake Trout is stocked
Top Lake Trout waters
Fish Lake
SEVIER County · 9 species · 1940 records
Last stocked July 2026
Fort Peck Lake
16 species · 1842 records
Last stocked July 2025
Missouri River
19 species · 1417 records
Last stocked October 2010
Bear Lake
RICH County · 4 species · 1219 records
Last stocked May 2026
Salem Pond
UTAH County · 10 species · 789 records
Last stocked June 2026
Willow Park Pond
SALT LAKE County · 10 species · 769 records
Last stocked June 2026
Bountiful Pond
DAVIS County · 8 species · 617 records
Last stocked May 2026
Lake Ontario
Wayne County · 8 species · 611 records
Last stocked May 2026
Meadow Creek P
WEBER County · 12 species · 601 records
Last stocked June 2026
Navajo Lake
KANE County · 6 species · 562 records
Last stocked July 2026
Highland Glen Park P
UTAH County · 8 species · 466 records
Last stocked June 2026
Clear Lake
Spokane County · 4 species · 466 records
Last stocked May 2026
Kaysville Stake Pond
DAVIS County · 9 species · 451 records
Last stocked May 2026
Jensen Nature Park Pond
DAVIS County · 12 species · 445 records
Last stocked June 2026
Midas Pond
SALT LAKE County · 8 species · 437 records
Last stocked June 2026
Echo Lake
10 species · 431 records
Last stocked September 2025
Kidney Pond
SALT LAKE County · 9 species · 394 records
Last stocked June 2026
Sandy Community Fishery
SALT LAKE County · 9 species · 374 records
Last stocked May 2026
Bull Lake
6 species · 361 records
Last stocked May 2026
Pioneer Park P
BOX ELDER County · 10 species · 349 records
Last stocked June 2026
Mcgregor Lake
7 species · 334 records
Last stocked May 2026
Lake Chelan
Chelan County · 5 species · 311 records
Last stocked August 2024
Clinton P
7 species · 306 records
Last stocked October 2024
Glassmans Pond
WEBER County · 8 species · 294 records
Last stocked May 2026
Frequently asked
Where is Lake Trout stocked?
Lake Trout is stocked in 115 waters across 4 states: New York, Utah, Montana, Washington.
When is Lake Trout stocked?
Lake Trout is typically stocked in spring, most often in May, based on records across every state that stocks it.
How many Lake Trout are stocked?
About 321,559,809,815,357,000,000,000,000,000 Lake Trout have been stocked on record since 1940, across Montana, New York, Utah, Washington.
What size Lake Trout are stocked?
Stocked Lake Trout average about 8.3 inches, based on sizes reported by Montana, New York, Utah — not every state reports sizes.
What does a Lake Trout look like?
Deeply forked tail, pale spots on a dark gray-green to greenish-brown body — the opposite pattern of dark spots seen in brown or rainbow trout.