Rainbow and brown trout are some of the most popular sportfish in North America. However, only the rainbow trout is native to the continent, as the brown trout was introduced during the 1800s. You will find rainbow trout along the coastal areas of the Pacific Ocean, including freshwater tributaries, rivers, and lakes. Brown Trout, on the other hand, can be found along the coastal areas of the Atlantic Ocean including its freshwater tributaries.
The Main Differences between Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout
The biggest difference between brown trout and rainbow trout is that rainbow trout are native to North America, and brown trout were introduced in the 1800s. While you will generally find rainbow trout in rivers and streams along the west coast of the United States, brown trout are commonly found along the East Coast.
The brown trout has a back that is golden brown, and a belly that is yellowish in color. You’ll see a number of spots along the length of the body, which are reddish in color with a pale border. The tail of the brown trout is dark and they have no side stripe.
Rainbow trout, on the other hand, are sometimes referred to as red band trout, due to the purplish-red stripe that runs the length of the body. Their back is like a rainbow and smoothly transitions from blue to green to yellow. Rainbow trout have a whitish-colored underbelly and are also covered in spots from head to tail.
What is a Brown Trout
Brown trout are closely related to Atlantic salmon. They are native to Europe but were introduced to North America during the 1800s. Today, brown trout are considered to be one of the most valuable types of exotic fish that have been introduced to the continent. They are a highly sought-after fish that can be found in both freshwaters, as well as seawater. When brown trout migrate out to sea, they are referred to as sea trout.
What is a Rainbow Trout
Rainbow trout are native to the United States, and can only be found along the shores of the Pacific Ocean. After the brown trout were introduced to North America, the rainbow trout was introduced to the United Kingdom. Rainbow trout are one of the most popular sportfish and America. Just like the brown trout, they are known to migrate out to sea and will return to freshwater later on in life in order to spawn. When rainbow trout migrate out to sea, they are known as steelhead.
How to Identify Brown Trout vs Rainbow Trout
Rainbow trout and brown trout are completely different species within the same family of fish. While brown trout are native to Atlantic waters and tributaries, the rainbow trout is native to Pacific waters and tributaries. In comparing the two, rainbow trout are known to weigh more than brown trout and are generally longer. Rainbow trout are also more colorful than their brownish-colored relative and can be easily identified by their pinkish-red lateral line.
Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout Appearances
Although brown trout and rainbow trout are part of the same family, they are very different species of fish. The rainbow trout is generally longer and heavier than the brown trout, and future a reddish-purple line that runs down the length of the body. Brown Trout, which are not native to North America are brownish in color and lack a lateral line.
Brown Trout and Sea Trout Appearance
Brown trout are born in freshwater, but may also migrate out to sea. When found in freshwater lakes and rivers, it is referred to as the brown trout, but after their migration to the ocean, they are referred to as sea trout. Sea trout spend most of their life out in the ocean, before finally making their way back inshore to spawn the next generation. They get their name from their brownish skin and are known to have black spots from their head all the way to their tail.
Rainbow Trout and Steelhead Appearances
Like brown trout, rainbow trout are also born in freshwater but migrate out to sea later on in life. After migrating to the ocean, rainbow trout are referred to as steelhead. Unlike brown trout, when rainbow trout head out to sea, they tend to stay along the coastlines. Thier back is a rainbow gradient that transitions from blue through green to yellow. They have spots across their back but are known for the iridescent line that runs the length of their bodies.
Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout Size Difference
While the brown trout are known to grow to an average length of 14 to 24 inches, the rainbow trout is larger and can grow up to 30 inches in length. At the same time, the average brown trout will weigh in at a mere 5 pounds, while the average rainbow trout can weigh as much as 8 pounds. As a result, not only are rainbow trout longer than brown trout, but the rainbow trout is also heavier. Nevertheless, the largest brown trout on record weighed in at 50 pounds, while the largest rainbow trout on record weighed in at only 48 pounds.
Fishing Tackle for Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout
When choosing to fish for brown trout or rainbow trout, it’s important to remember that they are found on opposite sides of the country. As result, the habitats between the two are vastly different. Therefore, it’s important to have a wide selection of different lures and flies to choose from.
Brown Trout vs Rainbow Trout Fishing
Both rainbow and brown trout prefer to live in cooler waters and are generally found in lakes and streams where the temperature is between 55 degrees and 68 degrees.
During the heat of summer, they tend to go to deeper pools where the water is cooler. As a result, it is easier to catch them using minnows, lures, and worms. Traditional fishing methods may be employed during the summer months, in order to entice the fish to bite.
During the spring, when the waters in the lakes and rivers are cooler, both brown trout and rainbow trout come closer to the surface. It is the best time of year to use flies in order to catch them. However, you may also use streamers and spoons during this time of year and still entice them to grab a hold.
Rainbow Trout Fishing
When it comes to fishing for rainbow trout, one of the most popular lures are the rooster tails. You can also catch rainbow trout with a wide variety of spinners and spoons, as well as jigs and crankbait. Unlike humans, the rainbow trout’s eyes are very sensitive to red colors, and therefore can see them easier than they can see greens and blues. As result, it’s important to use lures that can be seen easily by the trout, and are also similar to their local sources of food.
Brown Trout Fishing
When it comes to fishing for brown trout, the most popular lure is the fly. While it is possible to reel in a brown trout using a wide variety of artificial lures, you will only be able to use this traditional style of fishing during the warmer, summer months. Since the best time to catch brown trout is during the spring months, it is always best to use a fly, or other similar lures and bait. When all else fails, live insects are a great way of enticing them to bite.
Is Brown Trout or Rainbow Trout Fishing Easier
Many anglers are wondering whether it’s easier to catch brown trout or rainbow trout. When comparing Brown Trout to other trout species, there is a big difference between which one is easier or harder. However, due to the similarities in size, length, and habitat, the difficulty of fishing for brown trout and rainbow trout is about the same.
Comparing Brown Trout to Rainbow Trout Bites
Many anglers will agree that one of the test fish to catch, is the rainbow trout. Not only is it more common than any other trout species, but they are also known for jumping out of the water after they have been hooked. This makes really them in a very exciting experience. Because they eat such a wide variety of different food, it may be more difficult to select the right bait to catch them with.
Brown Trout are known to be very aggressive. While the rainbow trout may nibble before grabbing ahold of a hook, the brown trout will grab it and try to take off with it. Like most trout, brown trout are easily spooked, so an angler must be careful about making too much noise. Excessive movement while wading in the water can easily scare brown trout away. Some anglers agree that the best time to catch them is when it is raining because that is when they get closer to the surface looking for insects.
Brown Trout vs Rainbow Trout Fights
Because of how both fish hunt, the way that they fight once hooked is very different. While both rainbow trout and brown trout will shake their head and body in an attempt to break free, the rainbow trout is known for jumping out of the water once hooked. Brown Trout, on the other hand, tend to use their speed to zigzag through the water in an attempt to break free from the line.
Which Fish is More Fun to Catch?
Without question, fishing for rainbow trout is more fun. Nothing beats sinking your hook into a prize fish and then watching it leap out of the water before your eyes. While brown trout will occasionally jump out of the water, it is the rainbow trout that is known for this type of behavior. As a result, most anglers find that catching rainbow trout is a more enjoyable experience.
Which Fish has the Best Taste
Most people in North America have never had any other type of trout other than the rainbow. The reason for this is that most of the trout available in supermarkets across the country are rainbow trout which are grown on fish farms. The pink-colored meat of the rainbow trout is delicate and mild tasting. Brown Trout, on the other hand, are known to have a muddy aftertaste when eaten. While the brown trout is still a flavorful fish to eat, some people cannot stand the aftertaste. However, brown trout that are caught out at sea do not have the same muddy aftertaste.