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Lake Trout ⚠ Special Concern

🔬 Salvelinus namaycush

Deep, cold-water species. Excellent in the Great Lakes and deep inland lakes.

2-8 lbs, 18-28 inches
Typical size
61 lbs 8 oz
Michigan record
Winter, Spring
Best season
159
Listed lakes

Full stocking history & restocking forecasts with Fishing+

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🏆 Michigan record 61 lbs 8 oz ·Robert Tait ·Lake Superior ·Keweenaw County ·1952 All records →

📅 Best Times to Fish Lake Trout

Jan
Good
Feb
Good
Mar
Good
Apr
Fair
May
Fair
Jun
Fair
Jul
Fair
Aug
Good
Sep
Excellent
Oct
Excellent
Nov
Excellent
Dec
Good

❄️ Lake Trout is a popular ice fishing target in Michigan.

🛡 Lake Trout Conservation Status

⚠ Special Concern Lake Trout is listed as a species of special concern in Michigan. Native to Michigan and all Great Lakes. Not listed as Threatened in the current DNR fish list, reflecting significant recovery from near-extirpation caused by sea lamprey predation in the 1950s-60s. Ongoing sea lamprey control and MDNR stocking programs have rebuilt inland and Great Lakes populations. Still carefully managed with size and bag limits. Michigan requires a minimum length of 15" to keep. The daily bag limit is 5.

🌿 Lake Trout Habitat & Behavior

Deep, cold inland lakes and the Great Lakes. Requires 55°F or colder water. Found in depths of 60–200 feet in summer. DNR records show Lake Trout present in 159 Michigan water bodies. Highest stocking activity on record is in Allegan, Antrim and Cheboygan counties. Bite activity rates Good or better in Jan, Feb, Mar, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec. Lake Trout is a viable ice fishing target in Michigan.

🎣 Best Lake Trout Techniques

Jigging spoons deep, vertical jigging

🪱 Best Lake Trout Baits

Tube jigs, swimbaits, spoons, live smelt, cut bait

📋 Lake Trout Fishing Regulations in Michigan

15"
Minimum size
5
Daily limit
10
Possession limit
Year-round on Great Lakes; inland lakes vary
Season

Primarily found in Great Lakes and deep cold inland lakes. Jigging in 60–120 feet is most productive.

⚠️ Regulations shown are general statewide guidelines for 2025. Rules vary by water body and change annually. Always verify current regulations in the official Michigan DNR Fishing Guide before you fish.

🌊 Where to Catch Lake Trout in Michigan

Lake County Population
Charlevoix Lake
17,260 acres
 Charlevoix Excellent
Crooked Lake
650 acres
 Emmet Excellent
Crystal Lake
9,854 acres
 Benzie Excellent
Elk Lake
7,793 acres
 Antrim Excellent
Glen Lake
4,944 acres
 Leelanau Excellent
Higgins Lake
9,600 acres
 Roscommon Excellent
Lake Michigamme
4,149 acres
 Marquette Excellent
Otsego Lake
1,989 acres
 Otsego Excellent
Pickerel Lake
830 acres
 Cheboygan Excellent
Portage Lake
800 acres
 Washtenaw Excellent
Ackerman Lake Alger Good
Anna River Alger Good
Au Sable River Crawford Good
Au Sable River Oscoda Good
Au Train River Alger Good
AuGres Arenac Good
Avalon Lake Montmorency Good
Barber Creek Allegan Good
Bass Lake (Long Lake Township) Grand Traverse Good
Beatons Lake Gogebic Good
Michigan Fishing DNR Stocking Record Verified Data
SpeciesLake Trout
Quantity2,000 fish
StockedJun 16, 2025
Size at stocking7.6"
Lake Waiska Bay, Lake Superior

📋 Lake Trout Stocking Events by Lake

Date Lake County Quantity Size
13 more recent stocking events available with Fishing+
See what's been stocked recently, including lake, quantity, and size.
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Nov 3, 2025 Deer Lake Oakland 100 28.6"
Oct 30, 2025 Sporley Lake Marquette 45 329.3"
Oct 14, 2025 McKeever Lake Schoolcraft 670 13.1"
Oct 14, 2025 McKeever Lake Schoolcraft 870 9.2"
Jun 18, 2025 Lake Superior - Keweenaw Bay 100 8.8"
Jun 18, 2025 Lake Superior - Keweenaw Bay 2,635 7.1"
Jun 16, 2025 Waiska Bay, Lake Superior 2,000 7.6"
Jun 12, 2025 Lily Pond 1,326 7.1"
Jun 12, 2025 Waiska Bay, Lake Superior 1,385 8.8"
Jun 12, 2025 Waiska Bay, Lake Superior 2,000 7.5"
Jun 11, 2025 Grid 1529 2,319 7.1"
Apr 30, 2025 Deer Lake Charlevoix 30 27.7"
Most valuable for Lake Trout anglers
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Full stocking history across all 124 lakes, plus a forecast of which waters are due for restocking this season.
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📋 Quick Lake Trout Facts

🔗 Resources

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