Fun Facts
- Species Name: Salvelinus fontinalus
- Common Names: brookie, speckled trout, squaretail
- State Record: 5 lbs. 12 oz. Caught in Paran Creek in 1977 by Dennis Harwood.
Description
Vermont’s only native stream-dwelling trout. Actually a char, they have worm-like markings against a greenish back, and their flanks are covered with light yellowish spots.
Small bright red spots surrounded by blue halos are also found along their lateral mid-section. Their light spots on a dark background distinguish them from brown and rainbow trout. Their tails are also not forked, hence the name "squaretail".
Where to Fish
One of Vermont’s most-widely dispersed fish, brook trout are found in coldwater fisheries throughout Vermont. They are intolerant of high water temperatures and are seldom found in waters above 68° F.
Some of Vermont’s productive brook trout spots include the White, Cold, Mill, Mettawee, Deerfield and Ottauquechee rivers, though nearly every small, cold stream throughout the state supports a healthy population.
How to Fish
Like other members of the salmonidae family, brook trout can be successfully targeted with both live bait and artificial lures. Live bait selections such as earth worms, wax worms, crickets, small minnows, grasshoppers and fish eggs can all be effective choices for catching brook trout. On the artificial lure side, small spinners, minnow plugs, spoons and various floating and sinking flies are also proven lures.