Brook Trout fishing
Salvelinus fontinalis. Dark olive-green back with pale, worm-like markings (vermiculations), unlike the spotted pattern of rainbow or brown trout.
Brook Trout fishing uses a Panther Martin spinner or a worm on 4 to 6 lb line, at dawn, during the day, and at dusk. In high mountain lakes, brook trout are often stocked as 1-3 inch fingerlings dropped from aircraft rather than trucked in at catchable size.
Published by Fishypedia · Sources last checked September 19, 2026
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
- Active times
- Dawn, Day, and Dusk
- Line
- 4–6 lb
- Hook sizes
- Size 6 to 14 hooks for bait
- Stocked in
- 13 states
- Peak in ID
- May and June
Identification
- Dark olive-green back with pale, worm-like markings (vermiculations), unlike the spotted pattern of rainbow or brown trout.
- Red spots ringed by blue halos along the sides, with white leading edges on the lower fins.
- A char, not a true trout - closely related to lake trout and bull trout rather than rainbow or cutthroat.
- Typically 12 to 16 inches in stocked waters, with quality lakes producing fish to 18+ inches.
Sources: wdfw.wa.gov, accessed September 18, 2026
Top lures
A floating pattern for fish rising in high mountain lakes and small streams.
Top baits
Line & tackle
- Line
- 4–6 lb
- Rod power
- Hook sizes
- Size 6 to 14 hooks for bait
Sources: wdfw.wa.gov, accessed September 18, 2026 , pa.gov, accessed September 19, 2026
Depth by season
Spring
Cold water lets fish stay shallow and active through most of the day.
Summer
Fish move deeper during the day as surface water warms, part of a daily vertical migration pattern.
Fall
–
Sources: wdfw.wa.gov, accessed September 18, 2026
Stocked behavior
In high mountain lakes, brook trout are often stocked as 1-3 inch fingerlings dropped from aircraft rather than trucked in at catchable size.
Common mistakes
- Fishing one depth all season; brook trout migrate up and down the water column both daily and seasonally.
Best time to fish Brook Trout
Most commonly stocked in May and June in Idaho, based on 49 stocking events on record.
Most commonly stocked in October in Michigan, based on 2202 stocking events on record.
Most commonly stocked in June in Montana, based on 118 stocking events on record.
Most commonly stocked in September in New York, based on 5122 stocking events on record.
Most commonly stocked in July in Utah, based on 140 stocking events on record.
Most commonly stocked in April in Virginia, based on 1197 stocking events on record.
Most commonly stocked in June in Wyoming, based on 200 stocking events on record.
Where it's stocked
164 locations shown. Tap a pin for details. · Open this area in Google Maps
Idaho
Michigan
Minnesota
Montana
New York
Pennsylvania
Utah
Virginia
Washington
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Also stocked in New Mexico , where no lake with this species has enough history for its own search-indexed page yet.
State records
| State | Weight | Angler | Water | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 8.56 lbs | Matt Smiley | Waterdog Lake | 2022 |
| Idaho | 7.06 lbs | DeVere Stratton | Henrys Lake | 1978 |
| Kentucky | 3.65 lbs | Wyatt Hoefer Louisville, KY | Cumberland River | 2015 |
| Michigan | 9.5 lbs | – | Clear Lake, Houghton County | 1996 |
| Montana | 9.06 lbs. | John R. Cook | Lower Two Medicine Lake | 1940 |
| New York | 6 lb. 3 oz. | Benjamin Ferguson | St. Regis Canoe Area, Franklin County | 2025 |
| Utah | 7 lbs. 8 oz. | Milton Taft | Boulder Mountain | 1971 |
| Virginia | 5 lbs. 15 oz. | Thomas Garth | Cub Run | 2019 |
| Washington | 9.00 lbs | George G. Weekes | Wobbly Lake, Lewis County | 1988 |
| Wyoming | 9.69 lbs. | Max Long - Rock Springs, WY | Green River Lakes, Sublette County | 1976 |
Common questions
What lures work for Brook Trout?
Panther Martin spinner, a spinner in gold, silver, and black/yellow. Little Cleo spoon, a spoon in silver, gold, and orange. Elk Hair Caddis dry fly, a fly in tan, brown, and olive: A floating pattern for fish rising in high mountain lakes and small streams.
What bait works for Brook Trout?
Worm. PowerBait dough bait.
Where do Brook Trout hold?
Spring: Cold water lets fish stay shallow and active through most of the day. Summer: Fish move deeper during the day as surface water warms, part of a daily vertical migration pattern. Winter: Brook trout favor the coldest available water, often near spring inflows or deep basins.
How big do Brook Trout get?
The Colorado record is 8.56 lbs from Waterdog Lake in 2022. The Utah record is 7 lbs. 8 oz. from Boulder Mountain in 1971. The Washington record is 9.00 lbs from Wobbly Lake, Lewis County in 1988. 7 more state records are on this page.