They are also a very predatory and mysterious creature and can come in sizes that are extremely large.
The Official Largest Trout World Record
The current IGFA all-tackle record for Lake Trout is 70.5 lbs (32 kg).
This fish was caught in 1995 by Lloyd Bull. He was often fishing at Great Bear Lake, which is a very cold region and is famous among fishermen for its huge lakes.
Information on this catch is hard to come by but it seems he caught it trolling.
Trolling is when multiple lines and lures are trailed in the water to increase the chances of fishing. This makes it difficult to make a specific claim on the world record, as it disqualifies trolling.
Great Bear Lake has the world’s largest lake trout and one of these was caught opposite the site of the Lloyd Bull catch weighing 83 pounds.
However, this fish was too disqualified from the record books, as it was caught using a gill net.
The IGFA only allows fish that are caught using the more traditional method of a rod and a reel.
Gill nets are illegal in Canada, but they’re still used by some anglers.
A gill net is a large mesh bag that’s attached to a pole or float. It allows you to catch larger fish than if you were using a hook and line.
Facts About The Great Bear Lake
The Great Bear Lake is located in British Columbia, Canada. It’s a large body of freshwater with an area of 1,959 square miles.
It is the second deepest lake in Canada after Lake Superior.
The average depth is 652 feet (198 m), making it the third-largest lake in Canada.
The lake is surrounded by mountains and glaciers. There are many islands within the lake.
The Great Bear Lake is home to the largest population of Lake Trout in the world.
There have been several attempts to introduce Lake Trout into other areas of the world. However, none of these efforts have been successful.
The first attempt to bring Lake Trout to Europe happened in 1891. A group of Canadian businessmen brought the fish across the Atlantic Ocean using a ship called the “Lady Evelyn.”
They hoped to sell the fish to European markets. Unfortunately, the fish died en route.
World Record Lake Trout In Utah
Chance Scott caught a 53-pound fish in August 2020 in Utah, which broke all previous records for the state (the previous record being 51 pounds).
It was caught in the Flaming Gorge reservoir and rather than preserve it, Chance kept it for his dinner!
Lake Trout Facts
1. There are two subspecies of Lake Trout: Salmo trutta and Salmo salar.
2. The average weight of Lake Trout is about 8 ounces (225 grams), although there have been recorded specimens up to 50 pounds (22 kilograms).
3. Lake Trout are anadromous, meaning that they spend their early life in fresh water and then migrate to saltwater.
4. Lake Trout are not related to salmonids.
5. Lake Trout are carnivorous, feeding mainly on small invertebrates like insects, worms, crustaceans, mollusks, and small fishes.
6. Lake Trout are highly territorial and will aggressively defend themselves against other Lake Trout.
7. Lake Trout are known to be aggressive predators and are capable of eating almost any smaller fish.
8. Lake Trout are able to survive without oxygen for long periods of time.
9. Lake Trout are known for their ability to swim backward.
10. Lake Trout are the only freshwater fish with bony armor covering their body.
The 102 Pound Lake Trout
There were sightings of a 102-pound lake trout that was caught in Lake Athabasca in Canada.
However, the reports also stated that this fish was caught by a gill net, which would disqualify it using modern-day world record-breaking criteria.
This lake in Canada is considered one of the best sites in the world to catch the largest lake trout.
However, as this source was never verified, we cannot confirm whether or not it really happened!
Where Can You Find Lake Trout?
Lake Trout can be found throughout North America. They prefer colder waters, so they’ll usually be found near rivers and streams.
In Europe, Lake Trout can be found in the Baltic Sea, the Black Sea, the Caspian Sea, the North Sea, the Adriatic Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Irish Sea.
In Asia, Lake Trout can be fished in China, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Russia, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, India and Pakistan.
How Can You Fish For Lake Trout?
You can use a variety of different methods when fishing for Lake Trout.
If you want to go after them during spawning season, you can set up your own artificial stream. This way, you won’t disturb the natural environment.
You can also use a drift boat to attract them into a specific area where you can easily cast your bait.
When fishing for Lake Trout, you should always make sure that you’re using the right equipment. If you don’t have the proper gear, you could end up wasting a lot of money and effort.
Here’s some recommended equipment for catching Lake Trout:
It’s possible to icefish for Lake Trout if you live in areas where the temperature gets below freezing.
You can use a special type of lure called a “spoon” to attract these fish. You simply place the spoon under the ice and wait until a hungry Lake Trout comes along.
Once you’ve hooked a Lake Trout, you can pull it out of the ice. You can either eat your Lake Trout or take its measurements and then let it go.
What Are Some Other Types Of Fish That Look Like Lake Trout?
Lake trout look very similar to Arctic char (a type of salmon). Both species grow up to about 50 pounds, but Arctic Char tends to be much larger than Lake Trout.
However, there are some differences between the two species.
For example, Lake Trout tends to be more colorful than Arctic Char.
They also have smaller mouths and bigger eyes.
Lake Trout also have bony armor on their bodies. In contrast, Arctic Char does not have any kind of armor.
The average lifespan of Lake Trout is around 6-7 years.
While Arctic Char typically live for 20 years or longer, there have been reports of some that reach the age of 40 years old.
Lake Trout are native to North America. They can be found in lakes, ponds, and even rivers.
They prefer cold water temperatures, so they often hide away from warmer climates.
Arctic Char are native to the Northern Hemisphere. They can be found across the globe, including in Europe, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.
Both types of fish are popular game fish. However, Lake Trout are generally considered to be less tasty than Arctic Char.
Where Can I Buy Lake Trout?
You might find Lake Trout at local markets or grocery stores. However, you’ll usually need to buy them frozen.
This will help ensure that the fish stays fresh and doesn’t spoil before you get home.
Our Final Say
We hope that our facts and figures surrounding these record-breaking Lake Trout have inspired and motivated you to maybe get out and try and catch your own fish!
Hi, I’m Tommy Bull. I can safely say that this was one of the best days of my adult life. The weather was perfect, not too hot or too cold, the lake was peaceful and still, and my bounty was impeccable.
This day is what started my love of fishing. Since then, I’ve been traveling around different lakes to see if I can match the magic of Irvine lake. No luck yet, but I remain hopeful. Until then, I can always count on Irvine lake to remind me of that feeling.
Anyway, I created Irvine Lake to teach people how to fish so that they feel more confident to go out and find their own fishing spot to embrace that feeling.
From then on, the site has grown to encompass my love of all things camping and outdoors too.
