Brown Trout (Inland)

Key identifying characteristics:

• Back is brown; sides pale brown or silvery; belly is white
• Large black, blue or red spots on body, often surrounded by lighter ring
• Tail with few spots
• The only salmon or trout with orange on adipose fin
• Leading anal fin ray extends the length of the fin
• Short, stocky caudal peduncle

Distribution/Habitat:

• The brown trout, a European native, was introduced to Ontario streams for the first time in 1913. Browns can be found in several streams in southern Ontario and they can be caught in fair numbers in many Great Lakes tributaries and stocked creeks inland. They are also present in Lake Ontario and Georgian Bay.
• In southern Ontario, brown trout frequent pools or ponds fed by streams. Although they hold their own in many turbulent, fast-flowing streams, they appear to prefer quiet, calm waters.

Angling Tips:

• The brown trout is often a night feeder and probably the best catches are taken after dark, but they certainly can be caught during daylight hours. Inland brown trout can be taken on the same sorts of baits as brook trout.

Common Baits:

• Spinners
• Small plugs
• Flies
• Worms
• Roe

Illustration credit: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources