Brown Trout — US fishing guide
Salmo trutta
Salmonidae
Svenska: Öring
Brown Trout is one of North America's most sought-after freshwater game fish, found across western mountain states, northeast, great lakes. Below is where it lives, when it bites and how to catch it — plus the top US lakes where it has been recorded.
At a glance
Typical habitat
Cold rivers and lakes, undercut banks
Active times
Dusk, night
Best season
Fall during spawn
US range
Western mountain states, Northeast, Great Lakes
How to catch Brown Trout
Streamers at dusk; match the hatch; larger fish eat baitfish, more skittish
Lake-by-lake occurrence data for Brown Trout is being compiled from GBIF and will appear here soon. In the meantime, explore US lakes by state.
Frequently asked questions
Where do you find Brown Trout?
Brown Trout typically holds around cold rivers and lakes, undercut banks. In the US it is common across western mountain states, northeast, great lakes.
When is the best time to catch Brown Trout?
Brown Trout is most active dusk, night, with the best fishing fall during spawn.
What is the best way to fish for Brown Trout?
Streamers at dusk; match the hatch; larger fish eat baitfish, more skittish