brown-trout
Species Facts

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
Description

Introduced from Europe to much of the United States during the late 1800's, the brown trout has adapted well, tolerating warmer water than the native brookie. Sides have a light brown or yellow cast with black spots and usually some orange or red spots. The spots often have whitish to bluish halos. The tail generally lacks spots, but may have a few.

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

Fishing is most successful in the fall through late spring, or during early and late hours during the summer. Brown trout are usually pursued with fly fishing equipment, with patterns that match local hatches or nymphs of caddisfly, stonefly, or mayfly. Fly patterns of ants, crickets, grasshoppers, and "wooly buggers" also produce nice catches. Live bait such as nightcrawlers, leeches, crayfish, minnows, and maggots can also be productive.