These fish like the cool, deeper parts of lakes. They’re not the easiest to catch but when one bites, the fight it puts up is thrilling. Discover the largest lake trout ever caught in Ohio!
Lake Trout Overview
Lake trout (scientific name: Salvelinus namaycush) is a species of freshwater fish that is known for its size and strength. They typically grow to just under 20 inches long and weigh a minimum of 15 pounds. Lake trout prefer cold water temperatures — especially around 48 degrees Fahrenheit to 52 degrees Fahrenheit. They go out of their way to find the deepest waters where it is cooler. They flourish in chillier regions of North America, including Nova Scotia, Alaska, and Canada.
Lake trout are usually brown or olive-gray and feature yellowish or white spots; their underparts are typically white.
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Historically, lake trout were found in Lake Erie but due to the overfishing issues, anglers have seen a drastic decline in numbers. Catching these fish takes strength, however. These creatures can be a challenge since they put up a fight once you snag them. If they are huge, you can imagine the thrill of hauling one on your boat after reeling it in!
Lake Trout Fishing Basics
First, you must locate lakes with depths ranging from 50 to 150 feet or deeper. The braided line you use must be tested to withstand up to 20 pounds and common lures include swimbaits, large crankbaits, jigs, spoons, and anything else that resembles their prey. Trolling is quite a popular method; use downriggers to get your lures to where the trout will happily bite.
Be sure to check fishing regulations and guidelines before proceeding with your fishing trip as they can vary from lake to lake. You want to be on the right side of the law, after all! There are weight limits as well as size and bag limits you must pay mind to.
These fish present a nice challenge but it’s less difficult to try and catch them in the early hours of the morning or later in the evening. Just make sure you go into deeper waters. They are more unpredictable during the day, which lessens your chances of catching one.
Lake trout gravitate to deep, cold waters.
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When out on the water, always wear a life jacket. Safety comes first, especially if you are going to go fishing from a boat. You can’t rave about your trophy fish if you’re not around to tell the story! Another thing to remember is to check the weather continuously as it can change rather quickly in large bodies of water.
The Largest Lake Trout Ever Caught in Ohio
James J. Beres caught the biggest lake trout in Ohio on December 1, 2017. This lake trout weighed 26.63 pounds! Beres caught it in Lake Erie in the county of Lorain. The fish was an impressive 38 inches long and had a girth of 25.5 inches.
The Largest Lake Trout Ever Caught in the World
According to the world record by the International Fish Association, Mr. Lloyd Bull caught the biggest trout in 1995. He was fishing in Great Bear Lake in Canada. This lake trout weighed a whopping 72 pounds!
