Brown Trout (Great Lakes)

Length:  35-60 cm. (14-24 in.)

Distribution/Habitat:
found in all Great Lakes and some tributaries

Similar fish:

• Chinook Salmon
• Coho Salmon
• Pink Salmon
• Atlantic Salmon
• Rainbow Trout

Key identifying characteristics:

• white mouth and gums;
• silvery with dark spots on body;
• 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;
• light-coloured pectoral fins.

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 the Humber, Credit, Speed, Grand, Saugeen, Sydenham (Grey County), Nottawasaga and Ganaraska Rivers. They are also present in Lake Ontario and Georgian Bay.

In Lake Ontario, browns can be caught by casting spoons or spawn sacs from piers, and by trolling spoons or minnow imitations at nearshore areas or at river mouths.