In many of the areas that the brook trout have been introduced to, they are now considered an invasive species and cause issues for local native trout and fish populations. One place where brook trout now have populations that may surprise many people is the islands of Kauai and the largest island of Hawaii in the Hawaiian Islands chain. From California, throughout the Rocky Mountains, and as far south as New Mexico and Arizona.įish fact: Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Oklahoma are the only states that do not have planted brook trout populations. Today, the fish can be found in nearly every state in the Continental U.S. The Appalachian mountain range and the northeastern states like Maine, Pennsylvania, New York, and others are also home to native populations of the fish.Īrtificial stocking of the fish has occurred throughout the United States. Small areas in Iowa and the very northern edge of Illinois are home to the species as well. The native range of the brook trout is located mostly in the Great Lakes region, with the upper peninsula of Michigan and the entirety of Wisconsin being home to the brook trout, with smaller areas of Minnesota and the oven mitt of Michigan having populations as well. The brook trout is a favorite species to target for many anglers in the regions they inhabit, and with artificial stocking of the fish to other parts of the country, that range has expanded. The belly of the brook trout is a vibrant reddish/orange color, and they will feature white on the outside edges of their fins.īrook trout can hybridize with other members of its genus, like the lake trout and arctic char.
There are also red dots with blue halos surrounding them across their sides. Brook Troutĭespite the name, the brook trout isn’t a trout at all but a member of the char species or the Salvelinus genus this family also includes the lake trout, Dolly Varden trout, and bull trout.īrook trout are members of the Salmonidae family, which includes all true trout, char, and salmon.īrook trout are dark green to olive in color and feature worm-like golden markings or vermiculations over much of their body.
Let’s look at both the similarities and the differences in this brook trout vs. The brook trout and the brown trout are two very similar species, but there are some major differences between the species that many anglers aren’t aware of.