When it comes to physical characteristics, the brook trout is a true beauty. Understanding this variation is critical for conservation efforts aimed at preserving healthy populations of brook trout throughout their range. This diversity is partly due to historical events like glaciation which caused isolation and allowed for unique adaptations over time. The genetic diversity of these fish varies greatly depending on their location, with distinct populations exhibiting different physical characteristics and behaviors. They are native to eastern North America and can be found in coldwater streams, rivers, lakes and ponds.īrook trout have a wide geographical range that extends from northern Georgia up to Labrador in Canada. Physical Characteristics And ColorationĪs a brook trout expert, it is important to understand the taxonomy and distribution of this fascinating species.īrook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) belong to the salmon family Salmonidae, which also includes other popular game fish such as salmon and rainbow trout.Few survive in the wild longer than five years. They can be caught on a variety of artificial flies, lures and natural baits. Brook Trout feed on aquatic and terrestrial insects, both under and on the water’s surface, crustaceans and small fish. But they may have spent some time in the stream since their planting, grown bigger, and become wary of anglers. Large Brook Trout caught by anglers in Pennsylvania are mostly hatchery-stocked fish. In headwater, infertile streams, few Brook Trout may reach “legal” keeping size for anglers. In small streams, sexually mature fish may be only four or five inches long, and produce only a few hundred eggs.Ī Brook Trout over 18 inches might produce around 4,000 eggs. Eggs develop over the winter and hatch in late winter or early spring. The eggs are given no further parental care.

After fertilization, the eggs receive a small additional covering of gravel, often from females digging new areas just upstream. The males become aggressive on the spawning grounds, chasing one another, but several males may accompany the female in the spawning act. Similar to other trout, with violent motion of the body and tail, the female digs a shallow nest depression in the bottom gravel (a 'redd') where there is good water flow to bring oxygen to the eggs. Brook Trout spawn in the fall, from mid-September through November and may travel to upstream headwaters to find the right spawning spot.

Facts about brook trout