In the late fall when they reach spawning condition they darken in color and gradually deteriorate and die after spawning. Chinooks thus vary from silvery to black in color. North Dakota conditions prevent chinooks from reproducing successfully. They are the largest trout found in North Dakota. Lake Trout Lake trout, or mackinaw, have been stocked into the Missouri River system where it is expected they can reproduce successfully.
Lake trout have a deeply forked tail and light markings on their silver-gray body.
Lake trout prefer deep and cold lakes. Other trout that have been stocked in North Dakota include, the coho salmon and brook trout . Neither were very successful and stocking was discontinued.