Thunder Bay
Photo: NOAA
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.