I saw this picture of a lake trout last week and thought, Wow, I have never seen such intense yellow on a salmonid before. I thought it could even be faked but on looking at other pics it is likely real but just more pronounced than most. Lake trout are not known for their colors and, in fact, are called grey trout here. They are in very few lakes here and an unusual catch. Dad got a 4 lber in the 1950’s. It has been on the wall as long as I can remember and I always was inspired to get one myself but never did. Many trips were made but in hindsight ice out was likely the only time they were available. People started targeting them lately with downrigger gear, etc but the fishery is too fragile for that and restrictions have been put into place. I lost track of the picture source which was in a lodge ad or something.
Deep, cold, high elevation lakes and ponds are the preferred habitat of Arctic charr, a visually spectacular native Maine fish. Just 14 waters in Maine harbor this unique species, and represent the only endemic populations in the lower 48 states.
MDIFW management of Arctic charr, also known as blueback trout, focuses on conservation of each gene pool through habitat protection, prevention of invasive species, and fishery regulations that ensure conservation of each population while providing an opportunity for limited harvest.Careful monitoring of these native populations is crucial as they can be threatened by invasive species and cumulative impacts of watershed use.Shown here is the periodic collection of data as spawning season approaches using a combination of trapnets and gillnets. The gillnets, made of a very small, fine mesh, capture fish as they swim through the water column. Nets are set and checked on very short time intervals, allowing biologists to quickly sample and release the fish unharmed.
The recovery of this remote water after invasive smelt were introduced in the late 1980s has been truly remarkable. The new beginnings of a healthy population here began just over a decade ago with just 14 Arctic charr, caught over the course of four years. Now biologists can sample more than 100 charr in just a few days on the water. Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife
I thought the lake trout was extreme until I saw this. I have never seen such red on a charr before, even though they are known for it. I was just as surprised that it was on a Blueback trout in Maine. Blueback trout is a local name for a relict Arctic Charr population in Maine. Something like 12-14 lakes have them.
When I was 21, I fished River of Ponds Lake (Yes, a real name.) in Newfoundland. A relict charr was caught by Fred, Dad’s friend, and I donated it to the college I was going to at the time. The prof was pleased to get it and he too questioned the double barreled name of the lake. I wonder if they still have it.
As usual, open in new tabs to embiggen.