LAKE TROUT

ENVIRONMENT YUKON

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LAKE TROUT
Salvelinus namaycush (Walbaum). In exterior colouring, lake trout vary from almost black to greyish or very light green with light coloured, irregular shaped spots. Similarly, there are variations in the colour of the flesh - from deep red to pale ivory. These differences are probably determined in part by heredity and in part by environment. Their main food is fish although smaller aquatic organisms are also eaten. Spawning occurs in the fall. Lake trout are sport fish as well as important commercially. Growth is quite slow in most water bodies in the Yukon yet twenty to thirty pound fish are not uncommon. Those living in large lakes usually grow to a larger size than those in smaller bodies of water. They will take the hook in fly fishing, with artificial lures, as well as some baits.