Splake are a hybrid trout resulting from the cross of male brook trout and female lake trout. Splake are stocked in large lakes throughout the Northeast and Great Lakes region.
Brook Trout vs. Lake Trout vs. Splake
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| Brook Trout Credit: USFWS |
Brook trout can be identified by their square tail and colorful red spots with light blue halos. Brook trout have a clearly defined vermiculation pattern along the back, especially near the dorsal fin. They lake spots on their gill plates.
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| Lake Trout Credit: USFWS |
Lake trout have a pattern of creamy white spots on a bronze, dark brown, or green background. They lack the red spots and blue halos that identify brook trout. Their forked tail is an identifying feature.
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| Splake Credit: USFWS |
Splake have spotted gill plates. They may have some vermiculation (wormlike pattern) along the back but typically less defined and more spot-like than brook trout. Splake have slightly-forked tails.
Splake Facts
Splake are voracious feeders that grow quickly. The Maine State Record splake weighed 10 lbs. 3 oz. The Michigan state record splake weighed 17 lbs 8 oz. with a length of 34. 5 inches. The world record splake, caught in Ontario, weighed 20 lbs. 11oz.
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