 BROOK TROUT
Scientific
Name: Salvelinus fontinalis
Other
Common Names: brookie, speckled trout
Identification
The brook trout
is greenish brown, often iridescent, with light red spots on its
sides. It has dark, wavy, worm-like lines on the back and white
edges on the fins, including the tail.
Habitats and Habits
Brook trout are
native to the eastern United States and Canada. Two strains of
brook trout exist, and both are now found in North Carolina. The
southern strain, although identical in appearance to the northern
strain, is genetically unique and is native to North Carolina.
Rainbow and brown trout, two non-native trout species, are thought
to outcompete brook trout for habitat and food resources. As a
result, wild brook trout are often restricted to small headwater
streams. Spawning occurs in the fall.
Young brook trout
feed on small aquatic and terrestrial insects. Adults eat a wide
variety of aquatic and terrestrial insects, as well as crustaceans,
fish and other small vertebrates.
Fishing Techniques
Fishing dry flies,
streamers and nymphs that imitate natural food items works well.
This method is especially popular in North Carolina’s many
streams that support wild trout. Fishing baits, such as worms and
corn, work well for hatchery-reared brook trout. Spin casting small
spinners, spoons and crankbaits can be productive as well. Check
the current trout fishing regulations on the type of lures allowed
as well as the size limit and creel limit for a particular trout
water before fishing. See fishing regulations
here.
Good Places to Fish
Check out the
North Carolina Trout Maps to find trout fishing opportunities listed
by counties.
NCARP Minimum
Requirements: Hatchery
raised: 2 pounds or 16 inches. Wild trout: ½ pound or
10 inches
State
Record: 7 lbs., 7 oz., in Raven Fork River, May 15, 1980
World
Record: 14 lbs., 8 oz., in Nipigon River in
Ontario, Canada, July 1916*
* Anglers
provide information on their potential world-record catches directly
to the International
Game Fish Association, which maintains the world records
for sport fishing.
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