Brown trout are very popular fish that can be caught in both the Atlantic Ocean as well as the freshwater lakes and rivers that flow into it. Cutthroat trout, on the other hand, can be found on the West Coast of North America and can be caught along the shores of the Pacific, in brackish water, and in the countless rivers, streams, ponds, and bogs that feed into the ocean. Of all of the trout species in North America, the cutthroat trout is considered to be the easiest to catch.
The Main Differences between Brown Trout and Cutthroat Trout
Brown trout can be found in the eastern part of North America. Originally from Germany, the trout was introduced to North America in the late 1800s. The brown trout is known for its muddy, brownish-colored skin. The cutthroat trout, on the other hand, can be found in the Pacific Ocean, as well as the freshwater rivers and streams that flow into it. The fish has a much lighter color than the brown trout but is most known for the bright red marks under its jaw line.
What is a Brown Trout
Brown trout were brought to North America back in the 1800s, and have since then become one of the most popular sportfish on the continent. The fish are born in cold freshwater lakes and streams and may migrate out to sea on occasion. Those who find their way out into the ocean, generally return to the freshwater they were born, in order to spawn. The fish is more closely related to the Atlantic salmon than any other member of the trout family.
What is a Cutthroat Trout
Cutthroat trout are a very popular game fish that can be found along the Pacific coastlines and in the freshwater tributaries that feed into the ocean. The fish is capable of living in both freshwaters, as well as saltwater habitats. The freshwater cutthroat is known to frequent large lakes, rivers, and bogs near river headwaters. The oceangoing cutthroat can generally be found in watersheds and tributaries that are filled mostly with brackish water. Unlike the brown trout, the cutthroat does not simply choose to migrate out to sea. Instead, the freshwater and sea-run varieties are considered to be completely separate.
How to Identify Brown Trout vs Cutthroat Trout
It was back in 1883 when the brown trout were introduced to a river in Michigan. Since then, the fish has expanded its reach throughout most of the northeastern part of North America. The cutthroat trout, on the other hand, is native to North America but can be found along the West Coast of the continent. Although both fish are brown in color, they can easily be distinguished from one another by the difference in color intensity. The brown trout is a darker brown than the cutthroat. But the easiest way to distinguish a brown trout from a cutthroat trout is by the red mark under the cutthroat’s jaw.
Brown Trout and Cutthroat Trout Appearances
Brown trout are known for their dark brownish skin and slender body. Like most trout, their back is covered with spots from the head all the way to their tail. Cutthroat trout, on the other hand, have a golden-yellow-colored skin that is also covered with spots. The biggest difference in appearances between the two trout is the existence of red slashes underneath the cutthroat’s jawline on both sides.
Brown Trout and Sea Trout Appearance
Brown trout are known for surviving in both freshwaters as well as saltwater habitats. When in the freshwater lakes and streams along the eastern coast of North America, they are known as brown trout. However, a good portion of brown trout migrate out to sea, where they are known simply as sea trout. While the taste of the sea trout is fresher and cleaner than that of the brown trout, there is very little difference between the two.
Cutthroat Trout
The cutthroat trout is more of a golden color than it is brown. It is also completely covered with black spots from the head all the way down to the tail. The telltale sign of a cutthroat trout is the existence of a bright red mark under the jawbone. Unlike the brown trout, the freshwater variety of the cutthroat does not mix with the saltwater variety and is generally much larger. Although it is possible for the freshwater variety to migrate out to sea and vice versa, this is a rarity.
Brown Trout and Cutthroat Trout Size Difference
The brown trout is larger than the cutthroat, both in length and weight. While the brown trout can grow as large as 14 to 24 inches in length, the cutthroat trout generally will not grow any larger than 6 to 16 inches in length. Likewise, the typical weight of a brown trout is about 5 pounds, whereas the typical weight of a cutthroat trout ranges from 2 to 5 pounds. The difference in size can be attributed to the greater lifespan of the brown trout.
Fishing Tackle for Brown Trout and Cutthroat Trout
The habitats where the brown trout and cutthroat trout live are extremely diverse. As a result, the type of tackle needed for each type of trout will vary greatly. Because of their lighter weight, the tackle needed to catch cutthroat trout is generally lighter than what would be used to catch brown trout. However, longer lines will be needed as the Cutthroat loves to dive deep.
Brown Trout vs Cutthroat Trout Fishing
Fishing for cutthroat trout is a very unique experience for any angler. Although it is possible to catch brown trout in brackish waters where freshwater rivers spill out into the Atlantic Ocean, cutthroat trout can be found at any point along the coastline extending from Alaska down to California. Both cutthroat and brown trout can be fished in freshwater lakes, rivers, and ponds. However, the two species of fish react very differently when the bait is presented.
Cutthroat Trout Fishing
One of the most unique features of the cutthroat trout is the manner in which it preys on other fish. Much like a bass, the cutthroat trout prefers to ambush prey and thus is known to hide under cover. They can generally be found underneath logjams, boulders, and other debris. As such, you will need to use the correct bait. Both dry flies and stone flies are an excellent choice to entice a freshwater cutthroat to grab a hold. Spoons, spinners, as well as jigs are the perfect choice to present to saltwater cutthroat. It is important to remember that as an ambush predator, cutthroat trout can be rather picky, and as a result, it is necessary to carry a wide variety of different lures to grab their attention.
Brown Trout Fishing
During the summer months, if you want to catch a brown trout then the best lures to use are jigs, spinners, and spoons. This is because the brown trout prefer the cooler, deeper waters of lakes and ponds. However, during the spring season, the only real way to catch a brown trout is with a fly. Brown trout can be easily spooked, so be careful about making too much noise by wading in the water or moving around excessively on a boat.
Is Brown Trout or Cutthroat Trout Fishing Easier
Brown trout are known to be far smarter and faster than most other species of trout. As a result, they are much more difficult to catch than any other species in the family. Having been introduced to North America back in the 1800s, and as a result of overfishing, the brown trout population is very slim. Because of this, brown trout are considered to be one of the most difficult to fish in North America.
Cutthroat trout, on the other hand, are on the opposite end of the spectrum. Not only are they native to North America, but their population is also bountiful. The amount of effort needed to hook a cutthroat trout is far less than that of a brown trout. In fact, cutthroat trout are considered to be one of the easiest trout to hook in North America.
Comparing Brown Trout to Cutthroat Trout Bites
Generally speaking, cutthroat trout are not at all picky about what they eat. They are known to be an extremely aggressive species and are very active eaters. As a result, if you have already mastered reeling in other types of trout, then catching a cutthroat should be a fairly simple process. Like most other trout, their preferences change from day to day, so lures that may have worked yesterday most likely will not work today. They generally prefer feeding in deeper waters, and when they find something they like, they will grab it aggressively.
Brown trout are also fairly aggressive eaters but are known for their intelligence. They are considered by many anglers to be one of the smartest trout species and are able to recognize and evade common lures. When choosing to fish for brown trout, pay attention to what the other anglers are using, so as not to use the same lures.
Brown Trout vs Cutthroat Trout Fights
The biggest difference between catching brown trout and cutthroat trout comes down to the way that they fight. Brown trout are known to use their speed to zigzag back and forth in the water, all in an attempt to break loose from the line. Because of their speed, it is quite easy for the line to get wrapped around trees and branches under the water.
Cutthroat trout, on the other hand, tend to dive to the bottom of the body of water looking for something to snag the line on. They will quickly pull the line out, as they swim for cover under large boulders and decaying trees. Because of this, cutthroat trout are considered to be better fighters than brown trout.
Which Fish is More Fun to Catch?
How strong a fish fights, is not the true measure of how fun it is to catch a fish. While cutthroat trout are known to be very good fighters, they are not nearly as fun to catch as brown trout. The brown trout love to put on a show, they use their speed and intelligence to move through the water in a way that generally ends up with the line getting tangled in underwater debris. Most of their actions however can be seen from the surface. Cutthroats love to dive down deep into murkier waters, where anglers cannot see what is going on.
Which Fish has the Best Taste
While fun to catch, brown trout are not the best-tasting fish in North America. Most anglers will agree that a freshwater brown trout will leave a muddy taste in the mouth after every bite. However, the saltwater brown trout have a much cleaner and fresher taste to them. Cutthroat trout, on the other hand, are considered to be very flavorful. As a result, the preparation of cutthroat trout requires the use of very little seasoning.