Ok- here is what the NYDEC sent me on splake identification and info on the lake it was caught in-
My ?-
Hello, I was wondering if you could tell me the "official" list of fish that are in Lake X. I have recently caught some fish that I assumed were splake but do look alot like lakers. If you could also tell me of any sure ways to identify them (splake) in the field (if there are any) I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you for your time. Dave
Their reply-
You ask a very interesting question. I have looked up Lake X in our
database and it looks like there have not been any lakers caught since
1955. The pond is stocked with splake and brown trout. There is no
definate way to identify between splake and other either lake trout or
brook trout in the field. Fisheries staff usually go by the stocking
history. The only real way to distinquish between them is internally.
The differ in the number of pyloric caeca (appendages of the stomach). I
hope this is some help to you. If you have more questions please email
me or call me at 518-897-1333. Thanks
Bethany Stephenson
Seasonal Environmental Educator Assistant
I believe that when they say caught they mean in their gillnets that they use for sampling.
So I guess it is splake
The name of the lake has been changed to protect the innocent