What is the Sociably Acceptable Size Of Laker Pups to keep?

[TRUBBS]

Now I know this is a Kokanee Forum, But A Lot of mack pups get picked up on Koke gear so im asking here as well as on BTF,
been seeing more and more people start talking about keeping a limit of the smaller lake trout to help out the other fish in Flaming Gorge, I usually release everything I catch as im not big into eating fish (maybe ive just never had fish cooked up the good way, I dunno... Anyways.)
my Gf's Grandma and mom is always bugging me to bring them home some fish to cook as they love fish, so I was Thinking maybe Id start keeping the mac Pups to bring home to them along with helping out the other fish,
Now I know Keeping Lake trout is a very sore and sensitive subject so please dont jump down my throat for asking this.
just looking to see what sizes the majority of us anglers would bring home for dinner at and what size do you consider future trophy fish and put back to grow even larger?

 

[SuperD]

The Gorge has a high limit on Macks for a reason. If you are meat fishing, I'd keep my 8 under 5 lbs as the most helpful and the best eating.

 

[fairweatherman]

I agree with Super D any under Five lbs are good to eat much bigger than that they get real greasy to eat

 

[TRUBBS]

thanks for the replys guys, ive only caught very few so i doubt ill catch many, even then doubtful that any will be off decent size.

 

[mtncat1]

I wouldn't feel bad about keeping a few in the 5 lb range/ they do taste pretty good . and they aren't as fishy as most

 

[jacksonlaker]

Once a lake trout reach that 5lb, 24" size, they more than likely have switched from a plankton to a fish diet. They will now put on weight and grow faster. I would try to stay in the 15 to 20 inch range. Plankton eaters... The lake is full of those fish.

 

[SuperD]

Also, once the fish get over a few years old, folks start raising the question of mercury content. Most of the by product pups I've caught trolling for Kokes are in the size jasonlaker mentions.

 

[mtncat1]

yeah sorry I meant I never keep any over 5 lbs most are under.

 

[smokepoles]

Agreed, the 15-20" size smokes up really well. Many of those will be fully as pink as the kokes as they are all on the same diet.