Welcome to our article on Brook Trout Fishing Tips. We hope this article can help you get started with Brook Trout Fishing and help you learn How To Fish For Brook Trout Like a Pro.

In this guide, we will share these Brook Trout Fishing Tips:

• What is a Brook Trout
• Facts About Brook Trout
• When do Brook Trout Spawn
• How Big do Brook Trout Get
• What do Brook Trout Eat
• Where to Find Brook Trout
• Brook Trout Fishing Gear
• Brook Trout Bait and Lures
• How To Fish For Brook Trout
• Brook Trout Fishing Techniques
• Brook Trout Fishing Tips for Beginners
• Local and State Laws

What is a Brook Trout

Brook trout is a small sized freshwater trout which is native to eastern parts of North America. But like other fish, it is stocked throughout America because of its popularity. Brook trout need a colder temperature that is why it migrates up and down the water searching for the right habitat and temperature.

Brook Trout has many nicknames because of its appearance. A speckled trout, a spotted trout, a brookie and a square tail are some of its popular names.

If you are an experienced angler then you would know which equipment and bait to use. You would know which spot to choose for fishing and how to go about the whole procedure. But if you are doing it for the first time or you are new in this game, you should do research. You should try to get as much information about brook trout and catching brook trout as you can.

Facts About Brook Trout

• The scientific name for Brook Trout is “Salvelinus Fontinalis” signifying that the natural habitat is spring water or fresh water.
• It is small as compared to other trout, but it is a lively and active fish.
• Brook trout is called a trout but it is a char.
• It is originally found in the eastern parts of North America but is stocked throughout America.
• The presence of Brook trout is indicative that the water is pure and pollution free. In fact, the denser the population of the trout, the healthier the water is. If the population is decreasing, then be assured that the water is impure.
• The color of the brook trout is greenish brown with yellowish spots on the back. It also has red and blue spots at the rear. The abdomen and lower fins are pinkish in color.

Brook Trout Spawning Season

Brook trout spawn in fall or in late summer depending on the temperature of the water. And to locate the perfect ground they may even travel upstream.

How Big do Brook Trout Get

The size of the brook trout is smaller as compared to other kinds of trout. The size is dependent on the habitat including the food it eats and the temperature of the water it lives in.

The average size of the Brook trout is 10 inches and the average weight is 1 pound. However, as explained before it is dependent on the habitat and food.

What do Brook Trout Eat

Brook trout eat a variety of food including insects even in larvae and pupal form. Aquatic insect-like caddisflies and stoneflies etc. are among the favorites. Land insects like ants, beetles, and crickets etc. are also consumed by the trout. Small fish and frogs are included in the brook trout diet as well.

Brook trout have two single rows of strong teeth on the roof of the mouth which is distinguishing feature as compared to salmon.

Where to Find Brook Trout

Having complete knowledge of the streams and lakes that can provide you with a good game is important. Before deciding on which lake to go to for fishing brook trout, make sure you know whether it is well stocked or not.

But just knowing and selecting the stream or lake is not enough to be successful. You should also know which part of the stream you should choose a spot for fishing. Obviously, you would want to select the part where you can find the trout easily. And what better place to search than its eating and resting place.

Brook trout need cool and clean water where it can find the food easily. Mid-stream boulders, vegetation at the stream bank, wood covered areas and areas where a tree or undercut banks provide shade are a good spot to find the trout resting. The stream sides where there is vegetation is a good spot for the trout to find food making it a good spot for you.

Brook Trout Fishing Tips & Techniques

Brook trout like any other fish requires the basic fishing equipment and techniques. There are no specific things you need to do. The equipment and bait are to be chosen like in the case of any other fish. That is according to the food the fish prefer and the weight of the fish.

Brook Trout Fishing Gear

Trout fishing does not require fancy and expensive equipment. Since the fish is not that heavy so most of the time the generic pole and line can be used. The fishing pole that is about 4-5 feet long, with a spin cast will be enough. A thin copolymer fishing line with the 4-6-pound test is all that you need depending on the density of the water.

You will need small bronze hooks either size 10 or 14. You can also use sinkers or bobbers as per your preference. Also, you may need to wade in the water so carry your wading boots along. You would also need a net and canvas creel to hold the fish once you catch it.

Brook trout are the easiest to catch using the fly fishing equipment. The lure is almost weightless and the casting method is different from other methods. The fly rod and reel are used with a specialized weight line.

Brook Trout Bait

A wide variety of live bait can be used to lure the brook trout. Brook trout eat small aquatic insects to non-aquatic insects. You can use earthworms, mayflies, fly larvae, grasshoppers, wax worms, minnows, and crickets etc. as live baits to lure brook trout. The type of bait use will also define the type of hook you need to use as well.

You can either prepare it at home or buy the bait for fishing. The material used in homemade bait is usually cheese, corn, cereals, and marshmallows etc. The ingredients are processed and made into a dough-like material. Small chunks and balls are made from that dough to be used as bait.

Brook Trout Lures

Another good option is to use artificial lures for the brook trout. Small jigs in bright colors can be used to lure in Brook trout. Small sized spoon lure of gold and silver color is also effective bait. You can also use spinners as lures to catch Brook trout.

Brook trout are an easy target for fly fishing as well. Use a floating line with dry flies to get the attention of brook trout. You can also use Ant flies, Mayfly, Caddisfly, mosquito are a few options that can get the results for you.

Brook Trout Fishing Techniques

The basic technique is the same as with catching other types of fish. If you have selected the correct equipment and bait, then you have done most of the work. Now bait your hook and make sure it is secured to your line.

• Cast your line aiming upstream. This makes your bait drift back to you.
• Casting upstream is beneficial in case of live bait but if you are using a lure, then you can cast in any direction you want.
• Watch your line vigilantly after casting while waiting for the fish to bite the bait.
• When the line stretches and you have a bite, reel it in quickly but firmly.
• Hold the rod straight so that the fish does not hit your face and body.
• If you are fishing in deep water, add split shot sinkers to your line.
• After catching the brook trout, you need to decide whether you want to keep the fish or release it back.
• If you want to release the trout back into the water, carefully take the fish off the hook and release it back into the water.
• Make sure you release the fish head first into the water.

Brook Trout Fishing Tips for Beginners

• If you are baiting your line for the first time, make sure you pierce once at both ends of the worm or any live bait you want to use.
• When you approach the stream to cast your line, do it carefully and quietly. Avoid casting even your shadow on the water.
• Try not to disturb the environment too much, that will include getting into the water as well. You would not want to scare the fish away. Just find a good spot where you can stand on the shore of the stream cast your line.
• When you catch the fish and decide to release it, make sure you handle it with wet hands. This will protect the outer coating of the fish. This coating is for the protection of the fish’s health.
• Spring is the best time for brook trout fishing. During spring, the trout are active and available near the surface. During summer, you might find the weather pleasant but trout move to deep bottoms of the lakes and streams.
• You should take waterproof rain suits and wading gear with you. Taking a life vest and warm clothes might come in handy as well.
• Stay as close to the shore as possible. If you decide to fish further from shore, then use a fishing kayak or a boat as water may be colder. But don’t go alone.
• Carry a personal locating devise. You might find poor cell phone service in most parts of the fishing area.
• Make sure to pack some food with you as you never know if luck will be with you or not.
• If you decide to keep the fish and cook it there, make sure you have the right equipment for that and know what rules apply.

Local and State Laws

Check with the local authorities about the authorized season for fishing. Some lakes allow only catching the fish and releasing it. They do not allow you to keep the fish. Make sure you know this about the lake or stream you choose to fish in.

You will need a proper fishing license and park permit for fishing brook trout. After acquiring it, make sure you carry it with you when you go fishing. Apart from that, you should have proper knowledge about other rules such as any “no-go” areas.

In some states there is minimum length limit, meaning that if you catch a fish which is shorter than the minimum length, you would have to release it. Similarly, there are some places where there is a daily limit or a maximum limit for catching certain fish. If you happen to catch more than the maximum limit, you will have to release it back.

Summary

Freshwater fishing and lake fishing is very popular in the US. It will not be an exaggeration if I say that fishing is our national pastime. The reason for the popularity of freshwater and lake fishing is the availability of many streams and lakes across the continent

Knowing the right time to go fishing, selecting the right spot and taking the right equipment is very important for fishing. Brook trout is a lightweight and you will not need any special gear for catching it. Before going brook trout fishing, you must also understand local rules and regulations.

Brook trout eat all kinds of insects and small aquatic animals and that is why you should select the bait accordingly. You need to cast your line and wait for your reward. The decision about whether you want to release the fish back to the water or keep it is yours. But the bottom line is that you will learn a lot about fishing and enjoy your day at fishing especially if you are doing it for the first time.

I hope you found this article helpful in learning How To Fish For Brook Trout. If you liked the article, please share it with your friends. If you want to share any of your Brook Trout Fishing Tips then let us know via comments section.

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