You are going to see some very big Lake Trout from Great Bear Lake in the image gallery that follows - special fish - remarkable fish.

These fish, which ranged in size from 20 to 66.5 pounds, were caught throughout the 70's, 80's and early 90's. Unfortunately none of those pictured was released, but that's the way it was back then. Although we did release the majority of our big fish, most of us went to Great Bear with one thing in mind - to bring home at least one trophy.

Because the water is very cold throughout the year the growth rate for these trout is extremely slow, so from fry to wall hanging it's very possible that the real big ones - 50 pounds or better - were over 60 years of age and possibly even older. Needless to say once they're gone a replacement will not be coming along any time soon - not in my lifetime anyway.

Given their age it's likely these big fish began life just after the turn of the century and, if you happened to catch one that size in the late 50's or early 60's, Queen Victoria was probably on the throne around the time it hatched - think about it.

I certainly wish I had.