Lake trout, also known as mackinaw, lake char, grey trout, or togue, are fascinating freshwater fish inhabiting the cold, oxygen-rich waters of northern North America. Despite their name, lake trout are not true trout but belong to the char genus within the Salmonidae family, closely related to Arctic char. This article delves into the dietary habits and feeding behaviors of lake trout, exploring their food sources, hunting strategies, and how these factors influence their growth and distribution.
Lake Trout Characteristics and Habitat
Lake trout possess elongated, trout-like bodies with deeply forked tails. Their coloration varies, typically ranging from dark green to gray or olive-brown, with darker shades on top fading to silvery sides and a lighter pale yellow or white belly. Male and female lake trout exhibit similar appearances and sizes, with males distinguished by a slightly longer, more pointed snout.
These fish thrive in deep, cold, and clear waters. They are commonly found throughout northern Canada, including some Arctic islands, Alaska, the northeastern United States, and the Great Lakes. They are non-migratory, residing at varying depths within the same waterbody depending on the season. During summer, lake trout inhabit the cooler, deeper waters of the pelagic zone, often near the bottom of the lake at depths of up to 200 feet. In spring and fall, they move to shallower waters.
Dietary Habits of Lake Trout
Lake trout exhibit a diverse diet that changes with age and size. Younger lake trout primarily feed on zooplankton and small invertebrates. However, as they grow larger, typically over 2 pounds, their diet shifts to become primarily piscivorous, meaning they primarily consume other fish.
Food Sources
Zooplankton and Invertebrates: Young lake trout rely on zooplankton, aquatic insects, and small invertebrates as their primary food source. These include midges (Chironomids), scuds (freshwater shrimp), and the nymph stages of dragonflies and damselflies.
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Fish: Adult lake trout are primarily piscivores, preying on various fish species depending on availability. Popular forage fish include whitefish, tullibee, and cisco. They are also known to consume smaller fish like slimy sculpins. In some cases, they may even prey on other trout species.
Other Food Sources: Lake trout may also consume other available food sources, such as leeches, crayfish, and terrestrial insects like ants and beetles that fall into the water.
Seasonal Feeding Patterns
Lake trout feeding patterns are influenced by seasonal changes in water temperature and prey availability.
Spring: Following ice-out, lake trout can be found in shallow waters, actively feeding in productive zones while water temperatures remain cold.
Summer: As water temperatures rise, lake trout congregate in deeper, colder basins of the lake, where they remain until fall. Fishing is often best in June, July, and August when fish are concentrated in these deep-water basins and actively feeding.
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Fall: Lake trout congregate along rocky shorelines and shoals as water temperatures drop in preparation for spawning, making them easier to target in shallow water.
Hunting Strategies and Feeding Behavior
Lake trout are opportunistic predators, employing various hunting strategies to capture their prey.
Ambush Predation: Lake trout often lie in wait near structures like mid-lake humps, sunken islands, or gravel bars, ambushing unsuspecting prey.
Open Water Pursuit: They are also capable of actively pursuing prey in open water, especially when targeting schools of forage fish.
Depth Preference: During the summer months, the fish usually inhabit the deepest parts of the lake, spending most of their time in waters deeper than 50 ft.
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Factors Influencing Lake Trout Diet
Several factors influence the diet of lake trout, including:
- Age and Size: As lake trout grow, their diet shifts from smaller invertebrates to larger fish.
- Prey Availability: The availability of different prey species in a particular lake or region significantly impacts lake trout diet.
- Habitat: Lake trout habitat preferences influence their access to different food sources. For example, lake trout inhabiting weedy areas may have greater access to dragonflies and damselflies.
- Competition: Competition with other fish species for food resources can also influence lake trout diet.
Fishing for Lake Trout
Understanding lake trout diet and feeding habits is crucial for successful angling. Anglers can improve their chances of catching lake trout by:
- Locating Prime Habitat: Identifying areas with suitable habitat, such as rocky shorelines, shoals, mid-lake humps, and deep-water basins.
- Using Appropriate Lures: Selecting lures that mimic the appearance and movement of common prey fish, such as crankbaits and spoons.
- Varying Presentation: Experimenting with different lure presentations to determine what is most effective on a given day.
- Fishing at the Right Time: Targeting lake trout during peak feeding periods, such as spring and early summer.
- Employing Effective Techniques: Using downriggers to get lures deep, or vertical jigging, are both popular fishing methods.
Conservation and Management
Lake trout populations are vulnerable to overfishing due to their slow growth and late maturity. Conservation and management efforts are essential to ensure the long-term health of lake trout populations. These efforts may include:
- Fishing Regulations: Implementing fishing regulations, such as size and bag limits, to prevent overharvest.
- Habitat Protection: Protecting and restoring lake trout habitat, including spawning areas and deep-water refuges.
- Control of Invasive Species: Controlling invasive species, such as sea lampreys, that prey on lake trout.
- Stocking Programs: Stocking lakes with hatchery-raised lake trout to supplement natural populations.