trout and landlocked salmon. Brown trout populations have become 

 established in a number of waters in Maine ranging from Aroostook 

 County to the southern tip of the state. The species is common in 

 southern and coastal freshwater lakes and streams, but abundant in only 

 a small percentage of these. Small populations of brown trout are known 

 to exist in several of Maine's major salmon and trout waters in northern 

 and inland sections. 



Living requirements of the brown trout are less critical than those 

 of the brook trout and landlocked salmon. Brown trout are able to with- 

 stand higher water temperatures than brook trout, and the brown's 

 ability to compete for food and space and to reproduce its kind under 

 conditions considered adverse for other salmonids are important con- 

 siderations in management of this species. 



Unfortunately the brown trout's ability to adapt itself to a wider 

 range of living conditions than native salmonids is not matched by its 

 "catchability." Fishery research in Maine has shown that the average 

 fisherman has difficulty catching brown trout and, measured in terms 

 of return to the angler in relation to the angler's hourly effort, this species 

 becomes a poor investment for any water area capable of supporting 

 native salmonids. 



Brown trout spawn in Maine from October through February. 

 They are normally a stream spawner, and select coarse rubble bottom in 

 riffle areas similar to those selected by landlocked salmon. Spawning 

 may, however, take place under a variety of conditions ranging from lake 

 shores to tiny lake tributaries when ideal conditions are not available, 

 although results may be meager. A large female will usually dig three 

 or four egg pits up to 12 inches deep, distributed along an area which 

 may extend 20 to 30 feet along the stream bottom. Males defend their 

 chosen territories against the intrusion of rival males prior to the actual 

 spawning act. The young hatch out the following spring, and normally 

 spend the first two to three years of life in the parent stream feeding 

 on insects and other minute animal life. Later, moving out into the lake, 

 they depend more and more on a fish diet as they increase in size. 

 Growth is frequently obtained at the expense of other kinds of fish 

 present since the brown trout is a fierce competitor once it becomes well 

 established. 



Growth rates vary considerably from one body of water to another. 

 The following table represents an average growth rate for brown trout 

 in Branch Lake: 



5 6 7 8 9 10 

 19.8 23.4 24.7 26.8 27.1 27.6 



36 



