BROWN TROUT 



Salnio trutta Linnaeus 



Carll N. Fenderson, Chief 



Information and Education 



Few freshwater game fish have attracted more attention and been 

 the subject of more controversy and misinformation than the brown 

 trout. 



Originally distributed over a wide area on the continent of Europe 

 and the British Isles, the brown trout became established in many 

 geographically isolated drainages. Populations in Scotland, for example, 

 exhibited color characteristics and minor physical features that differed 

 from those exhibited by the same species in the Swiss highlands. Identi- 

 fication was further complicated in early European sport fishing history 

 by sea-run populations present throughout most of its original range. 

 Coming as it did from various European areas, the brown trout was 

 called a variety of common names. 



Many of these local names, originating in Europe, followed the 

 introduction of brown trout into North America in the latter part of the 

 nineteenth century. Some of the more commonly used names are Scotch 

 sea-trout, sea-run brown trout. Von Behr trout. Loch Leven trout, Ger- 

 man trout, and Swiss lake trout. 



Brown trout exhibit a greater range of color variation than native 

 salmon and trout. The typical brown trout is yellowish brown with large 

 brown or black spots on its sides, back, and dorsal fin. These spots are 

 usually surrounded by faint halos, and a few red or orange spots on the 

 sides are usually evident. The adipose fin may be spotted with orange 

 or red. However, brown trout are taken in Maine waters each year and 

 commonly identified by fishermen as landlocked salmon because of 

 silvery coloration and their close physical resemblance to the salmon. 

 Sea-run brown trout may closely resemble the Atlantic salmon, both 

 in shape and coloration. Difi'erences in the vomerine tooth structure 

 constitute the most reliable field character for distinguishing brown trout 

 from native salmonids (see page 22). 



One of the first introductions of brown trout in the United States 

 was in Branch Lake, Ellsworth, Maine in 1885. Until the early 1930's 

 brown trout were stocked in large numbers throughout the state, but 

 modern fishery management methods in Maine have recommended a 

 much more restricted use of hatchery-reared brown trout. Present In- 

 land Fisheries and Game Department policy is to stock brown trout in 

 only those waters where they will not compete with the native brook 



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