Splake
Encyclopedia
The splake is a hybrid of two fish species resulting from the crossing of a male brook trout
(Salvelinus fontinalis) and a female lake trout
(Salvelinus namaycush). The name itself is a hybrid between 'SP'eckled trout (another name for brook trout) and 'LAKE' trout, and may have been used to describe such hybrids as early as the 1880s (Kerr, S.J. 2000). Hybrids of the male lake trout with the female brook trout (the so-called "brookinaw") have also been produced but are not as successful (Sowards, 1959).
The intrageneric hybrid is of the genus Salvelinus
and, hence, is most properly known as a char or charr. In some locales, the fish is referred to as the wendigo. Although the hybrid is genetically stable and is, theoretically, capable of reproducing, splake reproduction is extremely rare, for behavioural reasons, outside the hatchery environment. The only known natural reproduction has occurred in 5 lakes in Algonquin Provincial Park
in Ontario
, Canada
and, in each case, only a handful of progeny
were produced. Current efforts are underway by the Utah DWR to encourage natural Splake spawn in Joe's Valley Reservoir.
The fish possesses characteristics of both parent species. Splake exhibit higher growth rates than either parent species and can attain 46 cm (18 in) in length only 2 years after being planted as fingerlings (i.e., at 2½ years of age). By way of contrast, lacustrine
brook trout would approach 25 cm (10 in) in length at a similar age and similarly-aged lake trout would be expected to be less than 40 cm (16 in) long.
Splake are considered "easier to catch
" than other salmonids and often live longer and fare better in certain situations. Hence, splake are well suited for stocking in a variety of cold water lakes and ponds. The maximum size is about 9 kg
(20 lb
) but fish over 4 kg (9 lb) are rare and are considered trophies.
Brook trout
The brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis, is a species of fish in the salmon family of order Salmoniformes. In many parts of its range, it is known as the speckled trout or squaretail. A potamodromous population in Lake Superior are known as coaster trout or, simply, as coasters...
(Salvelinus fontinalis) and a female lake trout
Lake trout
Lake trout is a freshwater char living mainly in lakes in northern North America. Other names for it include mackinaw, lake char , touladi, togue, and grey trout. In Lake Superior, they can also be variously known as siscowet, paperbellies and leans...
(Salvelinus namaycush). The name itself is a hybrid between 'SP'eckled trout (another name for brook trout) and 'LAKE' trout, and may have been used to describe such hybrids as early as the 1880s (Kerr, S.J. 2000). Hybrids of the male lake trout with the female brook trout (the so-called "brookinaw") have also been produced but are not as successful (Sowards, 1959).
Salvelinus
Salvelinus is a genus of salmonid fish often called char or charr; some species are called "trout". Salvelinus is a member of the Salmoninae subfamily of the Salmonidae family. Charr may be identified by light cream pink or red spots over a darker body. Scales tend to be small, with 115-200 along...
and, hence, is most properly known as a char or charr. In some locales, the fish is referred to as the wendigo. Although the hybrid is genetically stable and is, theoretically, capable of reproducing, splake reproduction is extremely rare, for behavioural reasons, outside the hatchery environment. The only known natural reproduction has occurred in 5 lakes in Algonquin Provincial Park
Algonquin Provincial Park
Algonquin Provincial Park is a provincial park located between Georgian Bay and the Ottawa River in Central Ontario, Canada, mostly within the Unorganized South Part of Nipissing District. Established in 1893, it is the oldest provincial park in Canada. Additions since its creation have increased...
in Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and, in each case, only a handful of progeny
Offspring
In biology, offspring is the product of reproduction, of a new organism produced by one or more parents.Collective offspring may be known as a brood or progeny in a more general way...
were produced. Current efforts are underway by the Utah DWR to encourage natural Splake spawn in Joe's Valley Reservoir.
The fish possesses characteristics of both parent species. Splake exhibit higher growth rates than either parent species and can attain 46 cm (18 in) in length only 2 years after being planted as fingerlings (i.e., at 2½ years of age). By way of contrast, lacustrine
Lake
A lake is a body of relatively still fresh or salt water of considerable size, localized in a basin, that is surrounded by land. Lakes are inland and not part of the ocean and therefore are distinct from lagoons, and are larger and deeper than ponds. Lakes can be contrasted with rivers or streams,...
brook trout would approach 25 cm (10 in) in length at a similar age and similarly-aged lake trout would be expected to be less than 40 cm (16 in) long.
Splake are considered "easier to catch
Angling
Angling is a method of fishing by means of an "angle" . The hook is usually attached to a fishing line and the line is often attached to a fishing rod. Fishing rods are usually fitted with a fishing reel that functions as a mechanism for storing, retrieving and paying out the line. The hook itself...
" than other salmonids and often live longer and fare better in certain situations. Hence, splake are well suited for stocking in a variety of cold water lakes and ponds. The maximum size is about 9 kg
Kilogram
The kilogram or kilogramme , also known as the kilo, is the base unit of mass in the International System of Units and is defined as being equal to the mass of the International Prototype Kilogram , which is almost exactly equal to the mass of one liter of water...
(20 lb
Pound (mass)
The pound or pound-mass is a unit of mass used in the Imperial, United States customary and other systems of measurement...
) but fish over 4 kg (9 lb) are rare and are considered trophies.
Literature
- Ayles, B. (1974): Relative importance of additive genetic and maternal sources of variation in early survival of young splake hybrids (Salvelinus fontinalis x S. namaycush). J. Fish. Res. Bd. Canada 31: 1499-1502.
- Berst, A. H., Ihssen, P. E., Spangler, G. R., Ayles, G. B., Martin, G. W. (1980): The splake, a hybrid charr Salvelinus namaycush x S. fontinalis. In: Balon, E. K.(ed.): Charrs, Salmonid Fishes of the Genus Salvelinus. Dr. W. Junk Publishers, The Hague, 841-887.
- Kerr, S. J. (2000): F1 Splake: An Annotated Bibliography and Literature Review. Fish and Wildlife Branch, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Peterborough, Ontario. 79p. + appendices.
- Sowards, C. L. 1959. Experiments in hybridizing several species of trout. Progressive Fish Culturist 21(4) : 147-150.