The largest freshwater lake in the world, Lake Superior, contains a plethora of species including the lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush). A recently published research paper, conducted as part of FlowWest employee Liz Stebbins master’s thesis, describes a model built to estimate growth variation in a population of lake trout in Lake Superior. Conducted through Michigan State University’s Fisheries and Wildlife department, this study focuses on an unusual subject: otoliths, commonly known as fish ear bones.