Brook Trout

Brook trout, also called "speckled trout", belong to the "char" sub-group of salmonine fishes originally found only in eastern North America.Brook trout are often found in lakes and are also common in cold, clear headwater streams, seeking waters with low temperatures and high oxygen content. There are some Canadian coastal river populations that also inhabit salt water. Brook trout are generally small (less than 12 inches in length), grow slowly with a relatively short lifespan (typically five years maximum). Brook trout spawn during late September to November in the northern hemisphere within sand and gravel areas where upwelling groundwater occurs. As spawning season approaches the colors of brook trout are greatly intensified, the males flanks and belly become orange-red with a black stripe along each side. Brook trout eggs hatch from February to April in the northern hemisphere. Young brook trout have a faster growth rate than lake trout due to the fact that warmer nearshore and tributary areas produce more abundant insect larvae and crustaceans. Larger brook trout feed on small fish and crayfish, though these fish are also restricted to cold, deepwater habitats during warm mid-summer conditions.