Lake Trout
Stealthy divers exploring the shipwrecks of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary may encounter fish like the lake trout. The diversity of fish species in the Great Lakes spans a spectrum from warmer water species in shallow nearshore areas to cold-water species like lake trout found in deeper, open waters.
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Salvelinus namaycush
DIET: Other fish; some crustaceans and insects
WEIGHT: Average 9 to 10 pounds
LIFESPAN: 25+ years
AGE AT MATURITY: 6-7 years
THREATS: Habitat degradation and invasive species
STATUS: Varies throughout the U.S.
FUN FACT: This freshwater fish is popular with recreational anglers in and around the sanctuary.