6/12/2014 Lake - Montana Field Guide Montana Field Guides

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Lake Trout - Salvelinus namaycush

Species of Concern

Global Rank: G5 State Rank: S2 * (see State Rank Reason below)

Agency Status USFWS: USFS: Lake Trout Color Plate BLM: FWP Conservation Tier: 1

State Rank Reason (see State Rank above) This species is a glacial relict in Montana known from native (never-stocked) populations occuring in Waterton Lake, Glenns Lake, Cosley Lake, and St. Mary Lake in Glacier National Park and Lower St. Mary Lake on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, as well as a couple of small populations in the upper Missouri River basin. Otherwise, all other populations in the state are introduced. Details on Status Ranking and Review

General Description The lake trout is a char of the same as and . Lake trout are native in the St. Mary and Missouri River drainages and have been introduced to a few other scattered mountain lakes, Flathead Lake, and Fort Peck Reservoir. Lake trout are a major in much of Canada and were at one time a staple of the Great Lakes fishery. In Montana, the lake trout of Flathead Lake have achieved trophy status, growing to 42 pounds. Lake trout inhabit very deep, cold lakes, living in water up to 200 feet deep. They spawn in the fall on the rocky substrate of the shoreline. They scatter or broadcast their spawn, a rarity in the trout group. Small lake trout feed on plankton and aquatic invertebrates but fish over 2 to 3 pounds eat a fish diet. Lake trout are a highly-prized food fish in Canada and are catching on as a game fish in Montana with the advent of downriggers, electronic fish finders, and other specialized techniques.

Diagnostic Characteristics May have pale wavy lines on back. Fins may have traces of orange.

General Distribution Montana Range

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Summary of Observations Submitted for Montana Number of Observations: 804

(Click on the following maps and charts to see full sized version) Map Help and Descriptions Relative Density Recency

(Records associated with a range of dates are excluded from time charts)

Habitat Deep, cold lakes and reservoirs. (FWP) Deep cold water lakes and reservoir with some rocky bottom and on http://fieldguide.mt.gov/detail_AFCHA05050.aspx 2/3 6/12/2014 Lake Trout - Montana Field Guide abundance of . Spawns over rocky shoal areas in lakes in depths from 10 to 120 feet.

Food Habits Young feed on plankton and aquatic invertebrates. Diet is largely fish after reaching 2-3 lbs. in wieght.

Reproductive Characteristics Broadcasts spawn Oct-Nov. Eggs hatch in following March or April when water temps. reach 34-38 degrees F. Fry soon move into deep water. No parental care.

References

Additional References

Citation for data on this website: Lake Trout — Salvelinus namaycush. Montana Field Guide. Montana Natural Heritage Program and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Retrieved on June 12, 2014, from http://FieldGuide.mt.gov/detail_AFCHA05050.aspx

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