Brook Trout
Salvelinus fontinalis
A native jewel of cold headwater streams and mountain lakes across the eastern United States, brook trout are the iconic trout of Appalachian and northern wilderness waters. Their stunning coloration and preference for pristine, remote habitats make catching a wild brookie a bucket-list experience for any trout angler.
Seasonal Activity
Best Techniques
- fly fishing dry flies
- small spinners
- drifting worms
- ice fishing coldwater lakes
Top Baits
- worms
- dry flies
- small spinners
- wax worms
- salted minnows
Fishing Regulations
Season dates and limits for Brook Trout, by state. This list may not cover every state yet — always confirm current rules with your state's wildlife agency before you fish.
California 1 zone
Included in the 5-trout daily bag limit. Found primarily in mountain streams.
Effective 2025 · Source: wildlife.ca.gov
Colorado 1 zone
Combined with other trout in the 4-fish daily limit. Popular in mountain streams.
Effective 2025 · Source: cpw.state.co.us
Connecticut 1 zone
Trout season opens the second Saturday in April. Combined daily limit of 5 for all trout species. Wild trout management areas have special size and method restrictions.
Effective 2025 · Source: portal.ct.gov
Georgia 1 zone
Included in trout aggregate daily limit of 8. Native to north Georgia mountain streams.
Effective 2025 · Source: georgiawildlife.com
Idaho 1 zone
Common in mountain streams. Part of the combined trout daily limit.
Effective 2025 · Source: idfg.idaho.gov
Maine 1 zone
Maine's heritage game fish. Daily bag limit of 5 fish for all trout and salmon combined on most waters. Many individual waters have special regulations.
Effective 2025 · Source: maine.gov
Maryland 1 zone
Maryland's state fish. Native to western Maryland streams. Combined daily limit of 5 for all trout species.
Effective 2025 · Source: dnr.maryland.gov
Massachusetts 1 zone
Season begins the first Saturday in April. Combined daily limit of 3 for all trout species. Catch-and-release areas have special rules.
Effective 2025 · Source: mass.gov
Michigan 1 zone
Trout season opens last Saturday in April. Combined 5 trout daily limit. Type 2-4 streams have special regulations.
Effective 2026 · Source: michigan.gov
Montana 1 zone
Common in mountain streams. Combined with other trout in daily bag limit.
Effective 2025 · Source: fwp.mt.gov
New Hampshire 1 zone
New Hampshire's state fish. Lakes and ponds open January 1 to October 15. Rivers and streams open fourth Saturday in April through October 15.
Effective 2025 · Source: wildlife.nh.gov
New Jersey 1 zone
Regular trout season opens on the second Saturday in April. Combined daily limit of 6 for all trout species.
Effective 2025 · Source: nj.gov
New York 1 zone
Trout season dates for streams. Lakes and ponds are open year-round. Combined daily limit of 5 for all trout species.
Effective 2025 · Source: dec.ny.gov
North Carolina 1 zone
Included in trout aggregate daily limit of 7. Native to western NC mountain streams.
Effective 2025 · Source: ncwildlife.org
Oregon 1 zone
Found in mountain streams and high lakes. Included in combined trout daily limit.
Effective 2025 · Source: myodfw.com
Pennsylvania 1 zone
Same season as other trout. Combined trout daily bag of 5. Brook trout are Pennsylvania's state fish. Found in cold mountain streams throughout the northern and central parts of the state.
Effective 2025 · Source: fishandboat.com
Rhode Island 1 zone
Combined 5 trout daily limit. Native brook trout found in small cold-water streams.
Effective 2025 · Source: dem.ri.gov
South Carolina 1 zone
Included in trout aggregate daily limit of 5. Native to upstate mountain streams.
Effective 2025 · Source: dnr.sc.gov
Tennessee 1 zone
Included in trout aggregate daily limit of 7. Native to Great Smoky Mountains streams.
Effective 2025 · Source: tn.gov
Utah 1 zone
Found in mountain streams and high Uinta lakes. Part of combined trout limit.
Effective 2025 · Source: wildlife.utah.gov
Vermont 1 zone
Vermont's state fish. Stream season opens the second Saturday in April. Combined daily limit of 6 for all trout and salmon species.
Effective 2025 · Source: vtfishandwildlife.com
Virginia 1 zone
Included in trout aggregate daily limit of 6. Virginia's state fish, native to mountain streams.
Effective 2025 · Source: dwr.virginia.gov
Washington 1 zone
Found in mountain streams. Part of the combined trout daily bag limit.
Effective 2025 · Source: wdfw.wa.gov
West Virginia 1 zone
Included in trout aggregate daily limit of 6. West Virginia's state fish, native to mountain streams.
Effective 2025 · Source: wvdnr.gov
Wisconsin 1 zone
Same general regulations as other trout. Combined trout daily bag of 5. Brook trout are native to Wisconsin and heavily managed. Some streams have special trophy regulations.
Effective 2025 · Source: dnr.wisconsin.gov
Wyoming 1 zone
Common in mountain streams throughout the state. Combined trout limit.
Effective 2025 · Source: wgfd.wyo.gov
State Records
Official rod & reel records by state. Log your catch to see how you compare.
| State | Weight | Length | Angler | Year | Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WI | 9.94 lb | — | John Mixis | 1944 | Prairie River |
| CA | 9.75 lb | — | Texas Haynes | 1932 | Silver Lake |
| MI | 9.5 lb | 28.1 in | — | 1996 | Clear Lake |
| WA | 9 lb | — | George G. Weekes | 1998 | Wobbly Lake |
| NC | 7.44 lb | — | G.L. Marshall Jr. | 1980 | Raven Fork |
| IL | 7.31 lb | — | Daniel Frazier | 1998 | Lake Michigan |
| PA | 7 lb | — | Vonada Ranck | 1996 | Fishing Creek |
| MN | 6.31 lb | — | — | — | Pigeon River |
| NY | 6.19 lb | — | Benjamin Ferguson | 2025 | St. Regis Canoe Area |
| VA | 5.63 lb | — | Greg Orndorff | 1987 | Stony Creek |
| GA | 5.63 lb | — | Russell Braden | 1986 | Waters Creek |
| TN | 4.75 lb | — | Sasa Krezic | 2016 | Caney Fork River |
| IN | 3.97 lb | — | Sonny Bashore | 1973 | Lake Gage |
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