Brown Trout (Great Lakes)

Key identifying characteristics:

• White mouth and gums
• Back is brown, blue, or green; sides silvery; belly is white
• Dark spots on body
• Light-coloured pectoral fins
• Only occasional vague spots on tail
• 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:

• Brown trout are a European native and were introduced to Ontario streams for the first time in 1913. Browns can now be found throughout the southern Great lakes and are most abundant 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:

• In the Great Lakes, brown trout are often best targeted by trolling.  Brown trout are often found in areas that are shallower and nearer to shore than other species like rainbow trout and Chinook salmon.  Browns can also be targeted by anglers casting from piers and break-walls.
• In the fall, brown trout can be found in tributaries and can be caught using small baits beneath floats, or using small spinners or plugs.  Brown trout feed most aggressively at night.

Common Baits:

• Spoons
• Minnow imitating plugs
• Spinners
• Jigs
• Roe
• Worms