Lake Trout fishing
Salvelinus namaycush. Char with a gray-brown background overlaid by light spots that vary in intensity with age and habitat.
Lake Trout fishing uses a heavy jigging spoon or cut bait on 10 to 30 lb line, at dawn. Lake trout grow slowly and can live for decades, so stocked fingerlings need several years in deep, cold water before reaching a catchable size, unlike fast-maturing rainbow trout.
Published by Fishypedia · Sources last checked September 19, 2026
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
- Active times
- Dawn
- Line
- 10–30 lb
- Hook sizes
- –
- Stocked in
- 9 states
- Peak in AK
- September
Identification
- Char with a gray-brown background overlaid by light spots that vary in intensity with age and habitat.
- Deeply forked tail and a large mouth with strong teeth on both jaws.
- In large, clear lakes fish can appear so silvery the spots are hard to see; spotting is most intense on small fish.
- One of the largest native chars, reaching 3 feet and 40 pounds or more in trophy waters.
Sources: wildlife.utah.gov, accessed September 18, 2026 , fws.gov, accessed September 18, 2026
Top lures
Vertically jigged near bottom over deep structure and drop-offs.
Dropped to bottom, lifted sharply 1 to 3 feet, then let free fall.
Sources: fwp.mt.gov, accessed September 19, 2026 , dnr.state.mn.us, accessed September 19, 2026
Top baits
A piece of fish tipped onto a jig or spoon to add scent, worked near bottom over deep structure.
Tipped on a leadhead jig and jigged sharply off the bottom, then allowed to free fall.
Line & tackle
- Line
- 10–30 lb
- Rod power
- Eight-foot medium to medium-heavy trolling rod with a line-counter reel, or a medium spinning outfit for vertical jigging
Sources: fwp.mt.gov, accessed September 19, 2026 , dnr.state.mn.us, accessed September 19, 2026
Depth by season
Spring
Often found shallower right after ice-out, before the lake stratifies for summer.
Summer · 50–200 ft
Fish hold in deep, cold water well below the surface as the lake stratifies.
Fall
Move shallower again as the lake cools and turns over.
Sources: fws.gov, accessed September 18, 2026 , dnr.state.mn.us, accessed September 19, 2026
Stocked behavior
Lake trout grow slowly and can live for decades, so stocked fingerlings need several years in deep, cold water before reaching a catchable size, unlike fast-maturing rainbow trout. From release, young fish orient to deep structure rather than the surface-schooling behavior typical of freshly stocked hatchery rainbow trout.
Sources: fws.gov, accessed September 18, 2026
Common mistakes
- Fishing shallow in summer; when the surface gets warmer, lake trout move to cooler, deeper water, often below 90 feet.
- Working expansive flats, which may not hold many fish; look for points, sloping large rubble, or flats beside drop-offs that concentrate baitfish.
Best time to fish Lake Trout
Most commonly stocked in September in Alaska, based on 115 stocking events on record.
Most commonly stocked in April in Michigan, based on 522 stocking events on record.
Most commonly stocked in May in New York, based on 700 stocking events on record.
Most commonly stocked in November in South Dakota, based on 12 stocking events on record.
Most commonly stocked in November in Utah, based on 57 stocking events on record.
Most commonly stocked in June in Wyoming, based on 28 stocking events on record.
Where it's stocked
96 locations shown. Tap a pin for details. · Open this area in Google Maps
Alaska
Michigan
Minnesota
New York
South Dakota
Utah
Wisconsin
State records
| State | Weight | Angler | Water | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 50.35 lbs | Donald Walker | Blue Mesa Reservoir (Gunnison County) | 2007 |
| Idaho | 57.5 lbs | Lyle McClure | Priest Lake | 1971 |
| Kentucky | 5.31 lbs | John McDonogh Jeffersontown, KY | Cumberland River | 1983 |
| Michigan | 61.5 lbs | – | Lake Superior | 1997 |
| Montana | 42.69 lbs. | Ruth Barber | Flathead Lake | 2004 |
| New York | 41 lb. 8 oz. | Jesse Wykstra | Lake Erie, Chautauqua Co. | 2003 |
| Utah | 53 lbs. 15 oz. | Chance Scott | Flaming Gorge Reservoir | 2020 |
| Virginia | 5 lbs. 6 oz. | Arthur A. Conner | Philpott Reservoir | 1966 |
| Washington | 35.63 lbs | Phil Colyar | Lake Chelan, Chelan County | 2013 |
Common questions
What lures work for Lake Trout?
Heavy jigging spoon, a spoon in white, chartreuse, and glow: Vertically jigged near bottom over deep structure and drop-offs. Leadhead jig with a grub body, a jig in white, silver, and glow: Dropped to bottom, lifted sharply 1 to 3 feet, then let free fall. Trolled stickbait, a crankbait in silver/blue and firetiger.
What bait works for Lake Trout?
Cut bait (sucker or perch): A piece of fish tipped onto a jig or spoon to add scent, worked near bottom over deep structure. Northern pikeminnow strip: Tipped on a leadhead jig and jigged sharply off the bottom, then allowed to free fall.
Where do Lake Trout hold?
Spring: Often found shallower right after ice-out, before the lake stratifies for summer. Summer: 50 to 200 ft. Fish hold in deep, cold water well below the surface as the lake stratifies. Fall: Move shallower again as the lake cools and turns over. Winter: On big lakes that stay ice free, cold near-shore water holds fish close to shore and high in the water column from December through May, often under 30 feet.
How big do Lake Trout get?
The Colorado record is 50.35 lbs from Blue Mesa Reservoir (Gunnison County) in 2007. The Utah record is 53 lbs. 15 oz. from Flaming Gorge Reservoir in 2020. The Washington record is 35.63 lbs from Lake Chelan, Chelan County in 2013. 6 more state records are on this page.