Brook Trout vs. Brown Trout – these two trout species are often confused because of their similar appearance, but there are actually several differences between them that you should be aware of.
In this post, we will cover the differences between brook and brown trout so that you can show off your fishing knowledge to your buddies.
Brook Trout vs Brown Trout Appearance
Average Size
Brook Trout typically weighs about 1 – 4 pounds and is between 6 – 7 inches long. However, brook trout have been recorded to weigh over 10 pounds and over 20 inches long for much older brook trout.
Brown Trout typically weighs about 1 – 5 pounds and is between 10 – 20 inches long. In Europe, brown trout are typically larger weighing between 4 – 10 pounds. The major factor in the size difference between Europe and North America is the different environments and types of food. Brown trout have the ability to grow pretty large, weighing about 45 pounds and 45 inches long.
Identification – Spots
Brook Trout has three major differences in their appearance, making it easy to identify.
- The colour of the body is typically a dark brown or yellow tint on the body. The colours are dependent on their diet.
- Blue-like halos around their red spots found on their body
- Their pectoral fins will have a white strip at the end followed by a small black strip before the colour transitions to the body colour.
Brown Trout has three major differences in their appearance, making them easy to identify.
- The colour of the body is typically olive green, brown, or a golden brown hue with a whitish or yellowish belly colour.
- Dark spots can be found on the upper half of the body starting from the head to the tail.
- Red spots can also be found on the bodies of brown trout. The halos around these red spots are typically a pale-like colour or no colour at all.
Brook Trout vs Brown Trout Habitat
Brook Trout are not very picky on where they like to call home. They are very versatile and can live in a lot of different environments. They can be found in:
- Lakes,
- Rivers
- Steams that are exposed to tidal changes
- and Saltwater
Their kidneys are very unique and have a separate organ inside of them called glomerulus, which is responsible for brook trout to be able to live in freshwater or saltwater.
Brown Trout are much pickier with their habitats. Their preference is to live in cooler conditions typically found in the north. That being said, brown trout can easily survive in warmer temperatures as well. Brown trout can be found in:
- small steams
- large rivers
- and lakes
They typically can be found hiding under overhanging vegetation, undercut banks, debris and deep pockets protecting themselves from the current.
Brook Trout vs Brown Trout Taste
Brook Trout tend to have a mild and delicate taste to them and can often taste a sweet and earthy undertone to the meat. Typically you don’t get much of a fishy flavour with brook trout unless you are eating a much larger and older fish.
Brown Trout is known to have a strong fishy taste to it, and it gets even stronger with the larger brown trout. The after-note of flavour of brown trout will change depending on the fish’s diet.
Brown trout have a high-fat content that contributes to the fishy flavour. Many chefs and anglers recommend soaking a fillet of brown trout in milk overnight, which helps reduce the fishy flavour and oil content.
Brook Trout vs Brown Trout Nutrition
Serving Size: 100g
| Brook Trout | Brown Trout | |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 110 | 159 |
| Total Fat | 2.7 g | 9 g |
| Saturated Fat | 0.6 g | 4 g |
| Cholesterol | 60 mg | 131 mg |
| Sodium | 45 mg | 170 mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 0 g | 0 |
| Protein | 21 g | 58 g |
Brook Trout vs Brown Trout Baits
Before heading out to the water to start fishing, always check with your local regulations to see if there are any restrictions using certain baits.
Brook Trout Artificial Baits:
- Spinners
- Spoons
- Jigs
- Flies
- Lures
Brook Trout Live Baits:
- Insects
- Bugs
- Small Baitfish
Brown Trout Artificial Baits:
- Spinners
- Spoons
- Jigs
- Flies
- Lures
Brown Trout Live Baits:
- Insects
- Bugs
- Small Baitfish
Brook Trout vs Brown Trout Fishing Techniques
Always check with your local fishing regulations to see if there are any restrictions on certain fishing techniques.
Brook Trout Fishing Techniques:
- Fly Fishing
- Cast and Retrieve
- Drifting
Brown Trout Fishing Techniques:
- Fly Fishing
- Cast and Retrieve
- Drifting