26 U. S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES. 
8. EasTERN Brook Trout; SPECKLED Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis). 
The natural western limit of this brook trout in the United States 
is northeastern Minnesota. It inhabits lakes as well as streams and 
varies in size according to locality. It does not flourish in water 
temperature over 68° F., and about 50° F. is preferable. The largest 
trout of this species authentically recorded weighed somewhat over 
124 pounds. Im some lakes trout of 5 or 6 pounds are not uncom- 
mon, butsuch large fish are seldom found in streams unless the streams 
are tributary to fairly large lakes. In streams of moderate size 
trout of 1 or 2 pounds’ weight are to be considered large, and in most — 
brooks a trout of one-half or three-fourths pound is an exception, 
at least in recent years. Its spawning season is in fall. 
Plants of eastern brook trout have been made by the Bureau of 
Fisheries in various park waters, and the fish is now abundant and 
widely distributed. It is known to occur in Gardiner River and its 
tributaries with their branches, particularly those of the west side: 
Glen, Fawn, Panther, Indian, Willow, Winter, Straight, and Obsidian 
Fig. 8.—Eastern brook trout; speckled trout. 
Creeks; Swan, Grizzly, and Beaver Lakes; Gibbon and Madison 
Rivers; Solfatara Creek; Virginia Meadows; Firehole River, above 
Kepler Cascades, where, according to the 1897 report of the super- 
intendent of the park, this trout was very abundant, and between 
its junction with the Gibbon and the lower falls; Upper Little Fire- 
hole; Upper Nez Perce Creek, but, according to Park Ranger Dewing, 
not in lower Nez Perce. According to Mr. Dinsmore it is found in 
Juniper Creek, a tributary of the Upper Nez Perce, and it occurs in 
Lone Star Creek and Spring Creek. Tower and Carnelian Creeks 
above the falls contain it, according to Mr. Dinsmore. It is abundant 
in Shoshone Creek, and according to the park superintendent's 1897 
report that creek was alive with brook trout up to 14 pounds in 
weight. Small fish are found in lower De Lacy Creek. 
The brook trout is one of the most noted and esteemed of American 
game fishes, but there must be something besides activity that makes 
it such a general favorite, as in that respect it is surpassed by several 
others. One appealing attribute is its beauty of coloration, and 
another its delicacy of flavor, which is hardly surpassed by any 
other fish. 
The brook trout may be taken by almost any method known to 
anglers. In open streams fly fishing is the method par excellence. 
