Lake Trout Question

[Charles McLaughlin]

Out fishing in Traverse City West Bay I happened to catch two lake trout each with a deformed pectoral fin (left side). Anyone know what causes this?

Thanks.

[pbrktrt]

The DNRE causes this. These are hatchery fish that they fin clip to identify them. They usually have a micro-tag in their head too.

[Twill23]

They only have a chip in their head when the adipose fin is clipped (the little Guy on their spine close to the tail). Those fish should be measured, weighed, and the head should be cut off and returned to the dnr office. Its almost best to document where the fish were caught. Any pectoral fin clipping just identifies year class of lake trout plants.

[Nailer]

Out fishing in Traverse City West Bay I happened to catch two lake trout each with a deformed pectoral fin (left side). Anyone know what causes this?

Thanks.

Welcome to the site Charles.

[Priority1]

Charles, A warm welcome to the GLF site.

[mj6131]

The left pectoral clipped lakers most likely come from the Feds.

[Twill23]

The left pectoral clipped lakers most likely come from the Feds.

Depending on what fin is clipped, pec, vent, right, or left, tells what year class those fish were planted. Thats hows its done in Lake Huron anyways