Looking for the most popular freshwater game fish in the world? You’ve probably checked Bass off your list by now, and maybe Salmon as well. So, what’s next? Rest assured, there’s still plenty to wrestle on light tackle or fly. But if you’re in the market for a fan favorite, we recommend Brown Trout fishing.
Elusive, ferocious, and capable of reaching over 40 pounds, these fish will test your skill set in surprising ways. With so many places to catch them, you can delight in that surprise time and again.
How to Identify Brown Trout
The name Brown Trout is a bit of a misnomer. For one thing, this species (Salmo trutta) is more closely related to Atlantic Salmon than other Trout. And Brown Trout aren’t always brown. Depending on the waters they live in, they may appear bronze or silver.
The confusion doesn’t end there. Brown Trout are a widespread species with many names and even a few subspecies. For example, there are Salmo trutta morpha fario which spend their entire lives in freshwater, as well as Salmo trutta morpha trutta which spend most of their lives in saltwater. These sea-run Brown Trout are sometimes called Sea Trout, while those which live exclusively in freshwater may be called River Trout or Lake Trout (not to be confused with North American Lake Trout).
In the British Isles, Brown Trout go by many other names, including Peal (southwest England), Mort (northwest England), White Trout (Ireland), Sewin (Wales), and Finnock (Scotland).
Whatever you call them, there’s no denying these fish have excellent sport value. That’s why they’ve been introduced to waters all over the world. Native to Europe, West Asia, and North Africa, Brown Trout are now one of the most popular game fish across America.
Names and subspecies aside, Brown Trout can be tricky to distinguish from other Trout in North America. Thankfully, their markings make them easy to recognize. You’ll see both brown and orange spots on their sides, sometimes with pale rings around them.
While they make great targets on light tackle and fly, Brown Trout can grow surprisingly big. Some reach over 44 pounds, though most fish you’ll catch in small rivers will be little over 2 pounds.
Brown Trout vs. Atlantic Salmon
As we mentioned, Brown Trout are closely related to Atlantic Salmon. As a result, these species look very similar. Yes, your run-of-the-mill Brown Trout will often be yellow or brown while Atlantic Salmon, on average, look silver.
However, sea-run Brown Trout are chrome colored and it’s possible that none of their spots will be orange. On the flip side, mature and spawning Atlantic Salmon take on a golden hue. This, combined with their spots, makes them look a lot like Brown Trout. You can look for a couple of clues in order to tell them apart:
- Spots. Brown Trout are almost covered in spots, except on their bellies. While these form a dense pattern, the spots on Atlantic Salmon are few and far between. Also, Salmon only have spots along their upper half. If you imagine a lateral line running from head to tail, few spots on a Salmon appear below it (although, you will see exceptions).
- Tailfins. Trout have flat, square tails while Salmon tails are at least partly forked. Brown Trout have some spots on their tails but Atlantic Salmon have none.
- Adipose fin (the small fin on top of the fish just before the tail). The adipose fin on a Brown Trout is slightly rounded and may be fringed with orange or red. On Atlantic Salmon, this fin is dark and square.
- Upper jaw. On Salmon, the upper jaw does not extend past the eye as it does on Brown Trout.
Best Brown Trout Fishing Spots
You can catch Brown Trout all over the world! Here are some of the best spots to fish for them, including a few that may be in your own, metaphorical backyard.
White River, AR
What better place to begin than the “Trout Capital of the USA”? At least, that’s what anglers call Cotter, Arkansas. This town is nestled in a productive crook of the White River, known for its monster Brown Trout.
The local Browns average 19–22 inches long, with some exceeding 30. The secret lies in the water itself, which consistently stays between 45–60 degrees year-round and allows the Trout to grow non-stop. While summer can be a great time to fish the White River, don’t overlook winter when these Trout are spawning.
Arkansas has a daily bag limit of five Trout, two of which may be Brown Trout. If fishing the Bull Shoals area, be mindful of certain zones and specified seasons when fishing is limited to catch-and-release.
Colorado River, CO
Brown Trout were introduced to Colorado during the 1890s and quickly took to the state’s high mountain streams. One of the best places to fish for them nowadays is the Colorado River, particularly the stretch from Glenwood Springs to Rifle. Deep holes in this area are perfect for holding trophy Trout. A 20″ Brown is relatively average in these waters, considering they’ve produced some nearly double that size!
There’s a statewide bag limit of four Brown Trout but, on the Colorado River, this is reduced to two. Size limits vary depending on what section of the river you’re fishing in.
Missouri River, MT
Trout enthusiasts will delight in Montana‘s stretch of the Missouri River. Come fall, these currents hold monster Trout in the 23–30″ range. Even if you don’t hook a trophy, most Browns are well above average at 16 inches. In addition to holding about 5,000 fish per mile, the Missouri River is a premier fly fishing destination. The area near Holter Dam is perfect for nymphing, while the lower stretch of the river caters nicely to dry fly fishing.
You can keep up to five Brown Trout per day when fishing in Montana.
Rio Grande, Argentina
Itching for a real adventure? Then, dig out that passport and head to the Patagonia region of Argentina. More specifically, to the island of Tierra del Fuego where you can fish the Rio Grande. These waters were stocked with Brown Trout during the 1930s and, needless to say, they thrived. When it comes to sea-run Brown Trout, the Rio Grande is home to more world records than any other river. Anglers from far and wide travel here for the chance to land a 30 lb monster.
There are several lodges along the river which give you access to these world-class fishing grounds. The best time to cast your line is between January and March, when the Trout enter the river in droves. While there’s no guarantee of landing a 30-pounder, plenty of them regularly exceed 20 pounds.
Just note that fishing in Patagonia’s rivers and streams is limited to catch and release.
South Island, New Zealand
Thanks to their outstanding game quality, Brown Trout have made it to virtually every corner of the world. One of the best places to fish for them is the island nation of New Zealand. Browns inhabit many waters throughout the country, but anglers who have tried their luck here tend to agreen that the South Island fishing takes the cake.
Here, it’s not the size of the fish that makes Trout fishing special. It’s the nature itself, which visitors describe as otherworldly – or, more specifically, Middle Earth-ly. Lush river banks and gin-clear waters are practically begging you to sight fish for the Brown Trout that weave their way through. Stalking them with a fly rod in hand will feel like a true adventure.
The season for Brown Trout runs from October through April, with November marking peak action. Size and bag limits for Brown Trout on New Zealand’s South Island vary by region.
How to Fish for Brown Trout
You can catch Brown Trout in lakes as well as rivers. River fishing is somewhat easier, since Trout behave like similar fish by hiding near boulders, fallen logs, grassy banks, and other cover.
Seek them out in deep parts of rivers with moving water and cast upstream so that the current will carry your bait toward the Trout naturally. This makes it hard to land your bait or lure precisely in your target zone. Simply retrieve and recast as many times as you need, rather than working against the water flow.
In lakes, it’s harder to predict where Brown Trout are, unless you’ve been fishing the area for a while and are familiar with their favorite haunts. Brown Trout swimming in open water are on the move as they look for bait as well as comfortable water temperatures. When extreme conditions like ice are not a factor, you’ll usually find them 20–40 feet below the surface. Look for areas at that depth with some structure to them.
Anglers usually target Brown Trout on light spinning gear or by fly fishing. Subtlety is the name of the game, as these fish are easily spooked. Any unnatural movement in the water will cause them to hesitate, which is why it’s crucial to let your bait drift with the wind or current. Once hooked, Brown Trout are fairly acrobatic and will sometimes leap from the water, which makes catching them an exciting challenge.
Brown Trout Fishing Gear
Your spinning setup can be relatively simple. All you need is a light or medium action rod paired with a 3500 series reel and some 6–8 lb mono line. You can err on the lighter side when fishing in small streams compared to lakes, where the Trout are likely to be bigger. It may be tempting to opt for braided line since Brown Trout are able to bite through delicate tackle, but they have sharp eyesight and are likely to shy away from it.
Fly fishermen can use a 9′, 5–6 wt rod. If you’re targeting trophy-sized fish, level up to a 7 or 8 weight. Don’t overthink reel selection, just choose a reasonable match for your rod and use a weight-forward floating line or double taper line. Your leader length will depend on the type of flies you’re casting. Streamers call for a 5–7′ 1X leader while you might use a 9′ 4X or 5X leader for dry flies.
Brown Trout Bait & Lures
It’s popular to target Brown Trout with artificials, whether you’re spinning or fly fishing. Inline spinners, spoons, minnow plugs, jerkbaits, and 3–5″ crankbaits all work well.
Of course, flies are also one of the top lures for Brown Trout. Streamers are the most popular but you can use nymphs and dry flies as well. Some specifics to try are the woolly bugger, pheasant tail nymph, blue-winged olive, elk hair caddis, and Chernobyl ant.
Something unusual about these fish is that they eat other Trout and even their own young, so you can try using patterns that mimic small Trout. They typically prefer basic colors, such as brown, gray, black, or white. Some anglers recommend using dark colors on overcast days and light colors when it’s bright out.
If you prefer to use bait, Brown Trout often bite nightcrawlers, earthworms, minnows, crickets, and leeches. Sucker meat and chunks of chub are also effective for catching big Trout.
When to Fish for Brown Trout
The best time to target Brown Trout depends on the area. In some places, you can catch these fish throughout the year by following their behavior and using various techniques. The action is usually best when they’re gearing up to spawn in winter, which makes fall the prime time to fish for them.
In fact, fishing after rainfall when the water is “stained” can yield some of the best Brown Trout fishing. Like most fish, they feed actively in the early morning and evening.
Brown Trout: Better Than Bronze!
The name may sound lackluster, but make no mistake… Brown Trout are worth their weight in gold. Their elusive nature will put your skills to the test and, if you’re up to the challenge, you may be duly rewarded. Few freshwater fish grow to such impressive sizes.
The cherry on top? A chance to fish our planet’s most beautiful waters as you hunt down one of the most popular game fish in the world. It’s time to start targeting Brown Trout!
Have you ever been Brown Trout fishing? Where are your favorite hunting grounds? Let us know all your Trout stories in the comments below!
