Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis)

Description

This salmonid predatory fish has a long streamlined body with an adipose fin close to the tail and a large mouth that extends past the eye. The back is olive, bluegrey to dark brown, with a distinct marbled pattern of lighter color. The sides are lighter that than back and have pale and red spots which are surrounded by blue “haloes”. The lower fins have white edges with a contrasting black stripe. The tail fin is square and slightly concave or rarely slightly forked. During the breeding season on the autumn, the male brook trout can become very bright orange-red along the sides.

Range

The native range of the brook trout includes eastern parts of North America, eastern Canada from Newfoundland to the western side of Hudson Bay, U.S.A. from the Great Lakes and Mississippi River basins in the west to the Atlantic basin in the east, from Minnesota in the north to Georgia in the south. Brook trout live in clear, cool creeks, in small to medium-sized rivers, and in lakes.

Uses

Brook trout are commercially farmed.

Conservation Status in Ontario

Brook trout are not threatened or endangered.

Species Significance

Fishermen regard these trout highly because of their fight when hooked.