Lake Trout

Dark grey to olive body with cream-coloured spots (never red or pink), deeply forked tail, and a light pattern that extends onto the dorsal and tail fins.

Deep, cold, well-oxygenated lakes. Shallow (5–20 ft) at ice-out and in fall spawning season; suspend at 50–90 ft in summer following the thermocline.

• In May, cast a white tube jig on 4–15 ft rocky shorelines — trophy lakers cruise shallow at ice-out.
• In August, downrig a spoon at 65–85 ft on Lake Simcoe or Simcoe-style deep lakes.
• Through the ice, jig a Jigging Rap 2 ft off bottom in 40–70 ft over mid-lake humps.

1–2 fish possession in most FMZs with 55–65 cm slot limits protecting spawning-size fish. Confirm your zone.

Always confirm before your trip: Ontario Fishing Rules & Licences.

Mapped waters in our guide that hold lake trout — tap through for FMZ, regulations, and tactics.

• Algonquin Park – Canoe LakeFMZ 15
• Algonquin Park – Opeongo LakeFMZ 15
• Anstruther Lake – Kawartha HighlandsFMZ 15
• Balsam LakeFMZ 17
• Balsam Lake Provincial ParkFMZ 17
• Big Rideau LakeFMZ 18
• Big Rideau Lake – PortlandFMZ 18
• Black Bay – Lake SuperiorFMZ 9
• Bon Echo Provincial Park – Mazinaw LakeFMZ 18
• Charleston LakeFMZ 18

Browse all waters on the fishing map →

• Lake Simcoe Fishing Guide