Science Name: | Salmo trutta |
Other Names: | German brown, Loch Leven trout, brownie, sea trout |
Ideal Temp: | 56 to 66 |
World Record: | 40 lbs. 4 ounces Ark. |
Environment: | stream, lake |
Techniques: | light fly, light tackle, casting |
Subspecies Brown trout were originally introduced from Germany and Scotland, and subspecies designations given to stocks from each country. But because of widespread stocking and genetic mixing, these subspecies are no longer recognized. Sea-run browns are not considered a subspecies.
Hybrids Brown trout hybridize with brook trout to produce the tiger trout.
Table Quality The meat usually has a pinkish or yellowish hue and a good flavor. But it is not considered as good as that of brook trout.
Sporting Qualities A strong fighter, but not as acrobatic as a rainbow. It is the wariest of all trout; big ones feed only at night. Browns can be taken with a variety of dry flies, nymphs and streamers. They will also strike spoons, spinner and plugs. But many of the biggest ones are caught on live bait, especially night-crawlers and large minnows.
Habitat Browns can live in warmer, more turbid water than other trout. They prefer water from 60 to 65F, but can survive at 75 and will tolerate 80º for short periods of time. They thrive in cool-water streams and lakes, but cannot reproduce in lakes.
Food Habits Primarily fish eaters, brown trout also consume crayfish and terrestrial and aquatic insects. Large browns prey on smaller trout and other gamefish.
Spawning Habits Spawn in fall, usually at water temperatures of 44 to 48F. They move into shallow, gravelly areas of their home stream or into gravelly tributaries. Females dig a redd, and after spawning, cover it with gravel and abandon it.
Age and Growth Brown trout grow rapidly, but are not particularly long-lived. Few survive beyond age 8. Lake â??dwelling brows grow much faster than stream browns; males faster than females.
Tips for Fishing