Brook Trout
Salvelinus fontinalis
Brightly colored and quick to rise, brook trout are the native trout of the East and a perfect fish for a light rod on a cold mountain creek.
- 38States
- 2,166River guides
- Late spring–early fallBest time
Where to find brook trout
Darker states have more brook trout river guides. Tap a state to see its rivers.
Most brook trout rivers
- Pennsylvania689 rivers
- Montana270 rivers
- West Virginia179 rivers
- Wisconsin124 rivers
- Vermont106 rivers
- North Carolina93 rivers
- Virginia80 rivers
- New York78 rivers
Fly fishing for brook trout
The brook trout is actually a char, related to bull trout and lake trout. It is native to the eastern US and Canada, from the Great Lakes and New England down the Appalachian Mountains into north Georgia.
Brook trout need cold, clean water and are often found in small, shaded headwater streams, spring-fed creeks and beaver ponds. Maine, the Adirondacks, Pennsylvania, the Smokies and the Blue Ridge are well known for them. They have also been stocked in Western mountain lakes and creeks, where they are not native and can crowd out native cutthroat.
Most wild brookies are small, often 6 to 10 inches, but they are eager to take a fly and beautiful to see. Larger fish are found in places like northern Maine, Labrador and some Rocky Mountain lakes. For many fly anglers, a day of brookies on a dry fly in a small mountain stream is fly fishing at its simplest.
How to identify brook trout
Brook trout have dark olive backs with light, worm-like markings, red spots with blue halos on the sides, and lower fins with a bright white leading edge followed by black. In fall, males show deep orange bellies.
How to catch brook trout
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Go light
A 7- to 8-foot 2- to 4-weight rod is ideal for small brook trout streams. Short casts and accurate placement matter more than distance.
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Stay out of sight
Small-stream brookies spook easily. Approach from downstream, keep low and avoid letting your shadow fall on the water.
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Fish the pockets
Cast to plunge pools, foam lines and the soft water behind rocks. In small streams, every good spot usually holds a fish.
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Watch the water temperature
Brook trout are stressed in water above the mid-60s F. On hot days, fish early or move higher in the drainage.
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Handle them gently
Use barbless hooks, wet your hands and release fish quickly. Many native brook trout populations are small and isolated.
Find brook trout water near you.
- Fishability score for every river near you, updated live
- Live flows and water temps for the rivers you fish
- Hatch timing for your watershed
Brook trout FAQ
Is a brook trout really a trout?
No. Brook trout are char, in the same group as bull trout, lake trout and Arctic char. Light spots on a dark body are a common char trait.
What flies work for brook trout?
Attractor dries like the Royal Wulff, Stimulator and Elk Hair Caddis work well, along with small Pheasant Tail and Hare's Ear nymphs and small Woolly Buggers.
What size rod do I need for brook trout?
A 2- to 4-weight rod around 7 to 8 feet is ideal for small streams. A 5-weight works for larger rivers and lakes.
Where are brook trout native?
They are native to the eastern US and Canada, from the Great Lakes and New England down the Appalachians to north Georgia. They are introduced in the West.
How big do brook trout get?
Most stream brookies are 6 to 10 inches. Fish over 2 or 3 pounds are uncommon and usually found in big lakes and rivers in places like northern Maine and Canada.
Can I keep brook trout?
It depends on the state and the water. Some native Eastern streams are catch-and-release, while some Western states encourage harvest of non-native brookies. Check local regulations.
