Lake Trout

Largemouth Bass

Brown Trout

Brook Trout

Atlantic Salmon

Smallmouth Bass

Northern Pike

As adults, lake trout are generally pisciverous, feeding on a wide variety of pelagic prey species. In the Great Lakes & Northern regions of Maine, alewives, smelt, sculpin and chubs make up a large portion of the lake trout diet (Wisconsin Sea Grant, 1999).

Due to the cold water and dissolved oxygen content requirements of the species, lake trout which persist in the southern edge of their range must move to deeper water areas in the warmer summer months. If preffered prey species are not present at these depths, lake trout may then resort to feeding on zooplankton and invertebrates. In habitats that support no pelagic prey species, lake trout must subsist entirely on these secondary food sources. These dietary conditions often produce a leaner trout which grows more slowly and reaches sexual maturity earlier (Vander Zanden, 1999)

Reproduction

Lake trout are a slow-growing, late-maturing species with generally low reproductive potential (Shuter, 1998). Though long-lived, both males and females, on average, do not reach sexual maturity until six to eight years of age (Wisconsin Sea Grant, 1999). Research has indicated that environmental factors, such as lake size and dissolved solid concentrations, may play a role in the age of first maturity and overall repoductive success of the lake trout (Shuter, 1998).

Lake trout seek substrates of cobble, rubble or gravel in which to spawn. Males will fan the bottom clean of finer silt so that the fertilized eggs of the female can be deposited in the substrate. As a female enters a spawning area, several males engage in amplexus (clasping) with the female; in this way eggs and sperm are broadcast over the substrate. Spawning generally takes place in fall or early winter and most often at night (Moyle, 1976).

Because of the colder water habitats preferred by -S. namaycush-, fertilized eggs require a long time to hatch. Eggs overwinter for four to six months before hatching. The developing trout remain in the crevices of the spawing substrate until their yolk-sac is completely absorbed. These "fingerlings" then move into deeper waters in search of food, usually in the form of zooplankton.

Canal Bridge Family Campground
RR 5, Fryeburg, ME 04037
(207) 935-2286

Gillies & Fallon Guide Service, LLC - 207-389-2300
Capt. Peter Fallon - pfallon@mainestripers.com
Focus Species: Striped Bass & Bluefish

Fryeburg House of Pizza
1 Portland Street, Fryeburg, ME 04037
(207) 935-4172

Maine-ly Smallmouth Guide Service - 207 268-3474
Jack Duggins - mainegold@yahoo.com
Focus Species: Smallmouth Bass, Stripe Bass.

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AMC Swan Falls Campground
SWans Falls Road, Fryeburg, ME 04037
(207) 935-3395

Belgrade Bassin' - 207-872-9688
John Blais - jpblais@prexar.com
Focus Species: Smallmouth & Largemouth Bass.

Tracewski Fishing Adventures - 207 827-3110
Kevin Tracewski - info@fishguideme.net
Focus Species: Brook trout, smallmouth bassand landlocked salmon.

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Maine Experience Guide Service - 207 215-3828
Jay Farris - maineexperience@aol.com
Focus Species: Stripers, blue fish, small and largemouth bass, pike and salmon.

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Maine Quest Adventures -
Bryant Davis
Focus Species: Trout, salmon and smallmouth bass. 207 746-9615