The lake trout is distinguishable from many of the other trouts by its forked tail and
drab coloring. However, it may be confused with brook
trout from the Great Lakes, which tend to be less colorful than those of inland lakes.
(Keep in mind that the brook trout doesn't have the forked tail.)
Lake trout from inland lakes have light-colored spots on darker backgrounds that vary
from light to dark green, brown, or gray. In the Great Lakes, the lake trout may be so
silver that spots are difficult to see.
Look for:
- Tail fin forked (v-notched hind margin)
- Body and head predominantly gray with many small light spots
- Pelvic and anal fins may have some white leading edges
- Eight to ten major rays in anal fin
Complete atlantic salmon
profile.
Main trouts and salmons page.
Sources: "Fishes of Isle Royale," by K.F. Lagler and C. R.
Goldman, Isle Royale Natural History Association, 1982.
Fishes of Wisconsin, by George C. Becker, University of Wisconsin
Press, 1983.
Freshwater Fishes of Canada, by W.B. Scott and E.J. Crossman, Fisheries Research
Board of Canada, 1973.
