Brown Trout

 

Illustration by: Rick Hill

Identification: The Brown Trout has a streamlined body, but is slightly deeper-bodied than Rainbow Trout. The mouth is large and the upper jaw extends beyond the rear margin of the eye. It is distinguished from Rainbow Trout by having fewer and larger black spots on the back, and red mixed with black spots surrounded by pale halos on the sides. It differs from Brook Trout by having dark round spots on a lighter-colored body rather than light worm-like spots on a darker-colored body. Brown Trout are the largest of the three trout species in Kentucky, reaching weights of more than 20 pounds in larger streams and rivers.

Distribution and Habitat: Native to Europe and western Asia, the Brown Trout is stocked as a sport fish in cool, upland creeks, streams, and rivers in the eastern two-thirds of the state. Brown Trout are stocked in far fewer locations than Rainbow Trout.