So you take a male brook trout and cross it with a female lake trout and you get this thing called a splake.
Well that was my first introduction to this species and, while the idea was cool I was sort of underwhelmed by the concept. Besides there were several other species of trout that seemed far more interesting out there and so I explored their waters instead. That is until one day I got wind of a report that the splake action was hot at a lake that was not all that far from my house.
I ventured out that first morning, it was mid-October and the pre-dawn temperatures were still well below freezing. I was fishing out of my 7’ pontoon boat that day and so I wet my wading boots to make them a little more pliable while I readied my gear. This was the first time I froze my wading boots to the shore. A little bemused, just for a moment I wondered what I was getting myself into.
WHERE TO LOOK
I got out onto the lake with no real clue as to what my strategy should be. It’s just a trout right? I ventured around the lake with a specific area in mind and when I found it my adrenaline began pumping… there they were! Right beneath me the white markings on their pectoral and anal fins gave their presence away. They were here and I was here and they were just a trout so this should be easy right? Wrong! What followed next were several of the most frustrating hours of my fishing history.
Every strategy I knew, every fly that I had didn’t garner even enough attention to turn one of these beasts off it’s course. As if as an answer to prayer another boat sidled up beside me and I shared my frustrations. The guy handed me a couple flies that he said he had been using a few days before, even though today he was trolling the margins. I looked at the flies, sparsely tied streamers, very simple but OK, I was grateful and I tied one on. An hour later I thought I had been duped, it was either that or I was just terrible at this and should probably go find some other fish to catch.
With my confidence at a supreme low point and my frustration building I was on the verge of quitting. Why was this so difficult? This is just a trout right? Well apparently not. Out of frustration I decided to just cast as far as I could and just rip my line in as quickly as was possible, better than throwing my rod in the lake I figured. When the fish hit I was completely stunned to the point that I couldn’t have hoped to set the hook. What just happened?
TRIGGERING THE BITE
In the next 20 minutes I landed my first two splake utilizing the same strategy. My day changed. My outlook changed. This isn’t just a trout, in fact it’s not even a trout at all. Being a hybrid of two char species the splake has some distinct characteristics that make it behave a little differently. As this day evolved it created in me a special fondness for these creatures, and for seeking them at this time of the year. As soon as the leaves have fallen and we see the first few signs of snow each year I get a little bit more excited about the prospect of getting out and targeting splake.
Over the years I have learned more about their behavior at different times of the year. During the summer when water temperatures are higher this species will emulate its lake trout parent and head for the cool depths of the lake. As the water cools these fish will come back into the shallows and go through a mock-spawn. Most hybrids are not able to spawn, but for splake spawning is possible if the conditions are right. Unfortunately, in most lakes in Saskatchewan these conditions simply do not exist and so their spawning behaviors are unproductive.
AMAZING COLOURS
During the spawn the males will take on their spawning colours and they will display brilliant orange bellies, black heads and even blue halos around their red or orange spots. The way these fish colour up is truly a sight to behold, it is some of nature’s finest work. During this period of time splake will attack a lure for a number of reasons. The fish that are not actively participating in the spawn will legitimately be eating. Being a char, they are pisciverous and will happily hunt down small bait fish for a high protein meal, hence the quick retrieve with my streamer.
Other fish will also attack out of aggression, particularly around the spawning beds there will be many different critters, leeches, bugs, small fish that are attempting to get at and eat the eggs. Using this knowledge means a fleeing lure with an orange hotspot will also garner attention. This is also a season where fish will attack out of sheer aggression and so lures that impart a lot of action may also provoke a strike.
COLD IS BETTER
As a rule of thumb the colder it gets, the better the splake fishing is. Each year now I reserve some time on my calendar in late October and even early November, if the weather allows, to get out and target these fish. You will encounter some brutal conditions and some hand-numbing experiences as you release these fish back to grow. Many a trip will have you wondering whether you will encounter water or ice, sometimes it’s one, the other or both. Though once you have seen these beauties it can be addictive and if you get the bitten by the bug be prepared for some odd looks and headshakes from your friends and family as you venture out when everyone else is just trying to stay warm.
STOCKING YEARS
In Saskatchewan splake are stocked every two years on the odd numbered years making 2017 a stocking year. Splake grow quickly and the 2015 stock may very well be 16” or larger by now. In many of the waters where splake are stocked they are often paired with other species like rainbow trout or tiger trout making for the opportunity to pick up a variety of fish and experiences on any given outing. The stocking records for each year are available online through the Ministry of Environment’s website.
A quick online search will normally yield this information quite easily along with several maps showing the locations of the stocked lakes in the province. Early in the new year each year the government will publish the previous year’s stocking report so currently 2016 is the most recent you can access. Keeping an eye on what has been stocked and when, with how many fingerlings will definitely help you decide where to head to target this beautiful specimen.
Please remember to practice catch and release because the trophies won’t get there if they are all harvested. Splake are a good table fish so good rule of thumb is to release all fish over 20” and limit what you take home. Keep only what you can eat fresh and help ensure excellent angling opportunities for all for the years to come.