A non-native trout introduced from Europe in the 1880s. Brown trout are stronger-fighting and more catch-resistant than native trout — they've thrived where natives have struggled.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
The brown trout is a species of carnivorous ray-finned fish and the most widely distributed species of the salmonid genus Salmo, endemic to most of Europe, West Asia and parts of North Africa, and has been widely introduced globally as a game fish, even becoming one of the world's worst invasive species outside of its native range.
Source: Wikipedia — Brown trout Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Olive-brown body with red and yellow spots; spots in lighter rings.
Similar species. Rainbow Trout (no red spots). Brook Trout (different spot pattern).
Voice. Silent.
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. Aquatic insects, small fish, crustaceans.
Behavior. Non-native salmonid introduced widely from Europe. Aggressive and predatory on native fish.
§ Range
Native to Europe; introduced and naturalized across North America
§ Habitat
Cold streams and rivers, often somewhat warmer than brook trout tolerate
§ Threats
In native European range: pollution. In North America: their own competition with native salmonids.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the brown trout is currently classified as Least Concern.
§ What helps
In North America: prefer native brookies/cutthroat habitat over brown stocking. Practice catch-and-release of large fish.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Brown trout
- www.nwf.org — authoritative profile of Salmo trutta
- IUCN Red List · taxon 19861
- iNaturalist · taxon 49619
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Salmo trutta
§ Sources cited
- American Fisheries Society
- Trout Unlimited
- iNaturalist
- IUCN Red List 2008
