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The Nonindigenous Occurrences section of the NAS species profiles has a new structure. The section is now dynamically updated from the NAS database to ensure that it contains the most current and accurate information. Occurrences are summarized in Table 1, alphabetically by state, with years of earliest and most recent observations, and the tally and names of drainages where the species was observed. The table contains hyperlinks to collections tables of specimens based on the states, years, and drainages selected. References to specimens that were not obtained through sighting reports and personal communications are found through the hyperlink in the Table 1 caption or through the individual specimens linked in the collections tables.

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Common name: Lake Trout

Synonyms and Other Names: mackinaw, siscowet

Taxonomy: available through www.itis.gov

Identification: Scott and Crossman (1973); Becker (1983); Smith (1985); Page and Burr (1991).

Size: 126 cm.

Native Range: Widely distributed from northern Canada and Alaska (missing in southern prairie provinces) south to New England and Great Lakes basin (Page and Burr 1991). In northwestern Montana, Lake Trout are native in Waterton Lake, Glenns Lake, Cosley Lake, and St. Mary Lake. (Snyder and Oswald 2005). In southwestern Montana, glacial relict populations of Lake Trout exist in Elk Lake and Twin Lake (Vincent 1963, Brown 1971, Synder and Oswald 2005).

Alaska	Hawaii	Puerto Rico & Virgin Islands	Guam Saipan

Native range data for this species provided in part by NatureServe

Hydrologic Unit Codes (HUCs) Explained
Interactive maps: Point Distribution Maps

Means of Introduction: Lake Trout have been intentionally stocked as a sport fish. In the Great Lakes, the species was stocked to restore populations within its native range that had been decimated by the sea lamprey. Kaeding et al. (1996) summarized what is known about the illegal introduction into Yellowstone Lake.

Status: Reported as established locally in California, Colorado, Idaho, Massachusetts, North Dakota, South Dakota, Washington, and Wyoming. Extirpated in Connecticut (Whitworth 1996). Scientists have concluded Lake Trout are established in Yellowstone Lake and are present at such high numbers eradication is probably not possible (Kaeding et al. 1996).

Impact of Introduction: Lake Trout often lead to the demise of other trout species where it is introduced. For instance, introductions into Lake Tahoe led to the elimination of the native Lahontan cutthroat Oncorhynchus clarkii henshawi (McAffee 1966; Moyle 1976; Behnke, personal communication). Cordone and Frantz (1966) reported a drastic decline and eventual extinction of native cutthroat in Lake Tahoe after the introduction of Lake Trout. Lahontan cutthroat were abundant in the lake in 1907, with only an occasional Lake Trout reported. By 1938, the cutthroat has virtually disappeared, and by 1966, Lake Trout comprised 70% of angler catch in the lake (Cordone and Frantz 1966). Stocked Lake Trout have replaced native cutthroats in deep Rocky Mountain lakes (Benson et al. 1961). This trout has also virtually eliminated cutthroat and bull trout in Flathead Lake, Montana, and Pend Orielle Lake, Idaho. The introduction into Yellowstone Lake poses a similar threat to the native Yellowstone cutthroat trout O. c. bouvieri. The introduction of Lake Trout led to the extirpation of three of the four populations of Sunapee trout (Behnke, personal communication). Lake Trout introduced into Flaming Gorge Reservoir were found to prey heavily on the Utah chub Gila atraria (Teuscher and Luecke 1996). Predation by Lake Trout was shown to be a major factor in the decline of kokanee O. nerka in Lake Chelan, Washington (Schoen et al. 2012). Competition with and predation by nonnative species (i.e., Catostomus sp., creek chub Semotilus atromaculatus, redside shiner Richardsonius balteatus, burbot Lota lota, brown trout Salmo trutta, and Lake Trout Salvelinus namaycush) limit populations of the rare bluehead sucker Catostomus discobolus (Wyoming Game and Fish Department 2010).

Remarks: A illegal introduction sometime prior to 1994 in Yellowstone Lake, Wyoming, has been of great concern there. Biologists are worried about effects on native Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout (McCullen 1994; Anonymous 1994; Kaeding et al. 1996). A plan was been devised by the National Park Service to remove the Lake Trout from Yellowstone Lake but scientists are skeptical that eradication efforts will succeed. However, as of early 2021, 3.65 million Lake Trout have been removed since gillnetting began and the Cutthroat Trout is returning (T. Koel, National Park Service, personal communication, 2021). Although it is found in some surrounding states, the Lake Trout has not been stocked in Oklahoma (J. Pigg, Oklahoma DEQ, personal communication). Ng et al. (2016) used life history data and population models to evaluate different different management scenarios, finding that a slight (2x) increase in mortality applied over 20 years could cause population eradication.

References: (click for full references)

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Other Resources:
Global Invasive Species Database Factsheet

Author: Pam Fuller, and Matt Neilson

Peer Review Date: 2/2/2016

This information is preliminary or provisional and is subject to revision. It is being provided to meet the need for timely best science. The information has not received final approval by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and is provided on the condition that neither the USGS nor the U.S. Government shall be held liable for any damages resulting from the authorized or unauthorized use of the information.