Brook Trout
Salvelinus fontinalis

Brook Trout © E. R. Degginger/Color-Pic, Inc. Courtesy of eNature

Species description provided by eNature
Description
To 21" (53 cm); 14 1/2 lbs (6.6 kg). Elongate, fusiform, depth about one-fifth length. Marine coloration: back bluish-green, becoming silvery on sides, belly white. Freshwater coloration: back and sides have red or yellowish tint with lighter wavy lines; sides have red spots within blue halos; belly ordinarily white, reddish in adult males; pectoral, pelvic, and anal fins light orange to red, leading edges white followed by dark, dorsal fin with dark, undulating lines. Maxilla extends well beyond eye. Fins relatively large; adipose fin present; caudal fin slightly forked.

Habitat
Clear, cool, freshwater streams; tidal streams; rarely in salt water.

Range
Native to E. Canada and NE. United States and Great Lakes region south to N. Georgia. Introduced in W. United States at higher elevations.

Discussion
The brook trout, highly esteemed as food and game, is one of the most colorful freshwater fishes. It feeds on a variety of organisms, including other fishes, but primarily on aquatic insects. Spawning occurs in small headwater streams. It is also known as the "squaretail" or the "speck." The largest brook trout, weighing 14 1/2 pounds (6.6 kg), was caught in 1916 in the Nipigon River, Ontario.