Brown Trout

Salmo trutta

Home » Fish Stocking » Brown Trout

The brown trout has two main color patterns representative of different habitats. Inland brown trout are more colorful than Great Lakes fish. Inland fish tend to have a brown to gold body color with black, blue or red spots. The Great Lakes fish have bright silvery sides with dark spots. The brown trout may be confused with the Great Lakes species of salmon or rainbow trout. Distinguishing it from these other species are three main characteristics: white mouth and gums, a square tail, and orange on the adipose fin.

Common Names: Brown Trout, German Trout, brownie, browns

Habitat of the Brown Trout

Brown trout were introduced into Ontario from Germany in 1913. These introductions proved quite successful and brown trout are now considered to be a naturalized species of Ontario. Of the Great Lakes, only Erie and Ontario have brown trout populations. Many of the rivers and streams of southern Ontario host browns. Browns are adapted to similar habitat as that of brook trout, and brook trout are usually pushed to the headwaters of streams were they coexist.

Spawning Patterns of the Brown Trout

Brown trout spawn in the fall, usually in late fall or early winter. They utilize shallow, gravelly headwaters. Fish seldom mature earlier than age three. A five to six year old female averages about 2,000 eggs. The eggs take between 40-70 days to hatch.

The Diet of the Brown Trout

Brown trout are referred to as opportunistic feeders. Any food source may be utilized if it is readily accessible. Aquatic and terrestrial insects form a large portion of the diet but fish, fish eggs, amphibians and crayfish are also important. It is interesting to note that there is significant evidence that large brown trout only feed at dawn and dusk.

Age and Growth Ranges of the Brown Trout

Brown trout have been known to reach the age of thirteen. Fish over 10 lbs. are common in larger waterbodies, but most small streams and rivers have an average size of one to two pounds.

Tips on Fishing for Brown Trout

Lake Ontario and Lake Erie anglers have had continued success trolling spoons throughout the summer months. This is probably an angler’s best bet to hook a large fish. Many small rivers throughout southern Ontario, however, are more accessible to the vast majority of anglers. Traditional river fishing methods, such as fishing roe or worms under a float, are productive, as is casting small spoons or spinners.

Remember that larger fish tend to feed only during twilight hours, so get out early or stay just past dark for a chance at a larger fish. During the fall, many of the rivers that empty into Lakes Ontario and Erie have spectacular runs when all the big fish move into the rivers from the open water hiding spots.

Brown Trout stocked since 2013

Stocking Statistics

YearStocking Totals
2023158,360
2022177,590
2021191,301
2020117,366
2019185,062
2018148,201
2017198,751
2016161,392
2015182,903
2014199,153
2013286,968

 

 

 

Matt Burley
Community Hatchery Program Coordinator
Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters
PO Box 2800
4601 Guthrie Drive
Peterborough, ON      K9J 8L5

Phone: 705-748-6324 Ext. 247
Fax: 705-748-9577
E-mail: matt_burley@ofah.org

 

Want to volunteer?

Use the map below to locate a hatchery near you (click on the fish icon for hatchery details)

Note: These are just relative locations of each hatchery. To obtain actual locations please contact community hatcheries directly.

If the contact information is incomplete for any hatchery that you would like to contact, please contact the Community Hatchery Program Coordinator.