BROOK TROUT
Salvelinus fontinalis

Preferred Habitat: Clear and cold mountain streams of the highest water quality. Brook trout are most successful in the smaller, higher elevation headwater streams.

Average Length: 4-7 inches, 1-3 ounces. World record size fish will exceed 14 pounds; however, in North Carolina 2 pounds is a huge brookie.

Food Habits: The brook trout feeds primarily on insects, but other invertebrates, fish, frogs, etc., are consumed as opportunity allow.

Spawning: Spawning occurs during October and November as water temperatures approach 50. The females locate spawning sites in cold, spring-fed headwaters of creeks where they prepare a nest like depression called a redd. The eggs are deposited, fertilized and covered with gravel where they will hatch approximately 50 days later.