Fish commonly caught in the Upper Midwest

LAKETROUT

This cold-water predator thrives in deep Great Lakes and has a light, flaky fillet.

This clue points to a fish that thrives in cold, deep lakes, especially in the Great Lakes region of the Upper Midwest. "Lake trout" is a straightforward answer—no wordplay here—since it’s a well-known game fish in states like Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Anglers often target them for their size and fighting spirit, making the name instantly recognizable to anyone familiar with the area’s fishing culture.