The Fishing Report
Fishing seasons & conditions by region
Brown Trout Salmo trutta
Brown Trout Size, Range & Diet
| Typical size | 16–26 in, 2–10 lb |
|---|---|
| Maximum | up to about 40 lb |
| Range | Stocked through all five Great Lakes — Michigan, Huron, Ontario, Erie and Superior — plus their harbors, piers and tributary rivers. |
| Habitat | Hugs the shoreline in water under 50 ft — harbor mouths, breakwalls, warm river plumes and rocky shorelines. |
| Diet | Alewife, rainbow smelt and round goby out in the lake; insects, crayfish and minnows in the tributaries. |
Sizes are typical rod-and-reel and documented maximum figures, not size limits — see the regulations links below for the rules where you fish.
How to Identify a Brown Trout
- Buttery-brown to golden body
- Both black AND red/orange spots, many ringed with pale halos
- Few or no spots on the squared tail
- Adipose fin often tinged orange
- Sparse spotting below the lateral line
- Thick, blunt head
Tell it apart: Red-orange spots with pale halos and a nearly spotless tail mark a brown trout; steelhead and the salmon carry black-only spots and a clearly spotted tail.
Easily confused with: Steelhead, Coho Salmon, Chinook Salmon
Side by side: Brown Trout vs Coho Salmon, Brown Trout vs King Salmon, Brown Trout vs Lake Trout, Brown Trout vs Steelhead
How to Catch Brown Trout
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- Best October-November near shore as fish stage to spawn; troll stickbaits and spoons on planer boards, then cast hardware along piers and river mouths.GearTrolling stickbaitsPlaner boardsCasting spoons
When & Where Brown Trout Are in Season
Peak Good Fair Slow
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Lakes Inshore |
Brown Trout Regulations
MinnesotaMinnesota Department of Natural Resources (Minnesota DNR)WisconsinWisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR)MichiganMichigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR)IllinoisIllinois Department of Natural Resources, Division of Fisheries (iFish Illinois)IndianaIndiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Division of Fish & WildlifeOhioOhio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of WildlifePennsylvaniaPennsylvania Fish and Boat CommissionNew York (Great Lakes / inland)New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC)
Always check local regulations — seasons, size, and bag limits vary by state and species, and change year to year. When in doubt, release.