Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis)
Last Update/Review: August 6, 2002
The brook trout is one of the most colorful trouts. The back is dark green with pale wavy lines. The sides have a purple sheen with blue-haloed red spots. The lower fins have a black stripe behind a pale leading edge.
Originally native to eastern Canada, the brook trout was introduced into Alberta's waters around 1903. They are now found in many of our foothill streams and are stocked in some 'pothole' lakes where the low concentration of oxygen does not favor other species of trout.
The brook trout spawns in October and the eggs hatch in the spring. They can first spawn when they are 18 months old and only 6 cm long. This feature causes many brook trout populations to overcrowd their habitat resulting in individuals becoming stunted in size. The diet of brook trout includes aquatic invertebrates (insects, shrimps, etc.), and other fish. Brook trout can be taken with all types of fishing lures and baits.
