m&M: - Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission

TARGETS
BROOK TROUT
(Salvelin us fontinalis)
The brook "trout" is the most beautiful and widely distributed member of the salmon
family in Pennsylvania. It is found in the small, cold mountain streams and lakes and
in the spring-fed, limestone streams of the valleys. Originally it probably occurred in
nearly all of the streams of the commonwealth but pollution, siltation and the warming
of many of these waters by deforestation has restricted the present range. Another
closely related char, the lake trout, native to though rare at present in Lake Erie, has
been established in Harveys Lake and several other deep, cold lakes in Pennsylvania.
Although the world's record for the brook trout is 14 pounds eight ounces, caught
in the Nipigon River, Ontario in 1916, a three or four pound fish would be unusual
for Pennsylvania and most anglers are happy with a seven to nine inch trout. The
flesh varies from white to a deep pink in fish which have been feeding on natural
food rich in pigmented oils such as are found in crayfish. The brook trout is the
choice of most epicures.
Spring-fed areas are required for spawning which generally occurs in November.
Food consists largely of aquatic insects, crustaceans and fish. Artificial flies, earthworms
and small minnows are the best lures.
BROWN TROUT
(Salmo trutta)
The Brown Trout was introduced into America from Europe during the latter part
of the 19th century. The original eggs for this introduction came from Germany
but is widely distributed in most European waters. A variety of the brown trout
from Loch Leven, Scotland, has also been stocked in some of the waters of the state.
It is doubtful that it can be distinguished from the brown trout proper. Brown trout
are now found in practically all of the important trout streams of the state. They
can tolerate slightly warmer water than the brook trout and reach a greater age and
size and are somewhat more difficult to capture than the brook trout. They have held
their own through natural reproduction in most of the streams where stocked in spite
of heavy fishing pressure.
The world's record for brown trout is 39 pounds eight ounces caught in Loch Awe,
Scotland in 1866. The record for Pennsylvania insofar as can be determined, is a 17
pound trout taken in Spring Creek, Centre County, in 1946. Although three and four
pound trout are not uncommon, a twelve to fourteen inch wild brown trout puts up
a spectacular fight on light tackle and is almost the equal of the brook trout on the table.
Spawning occurs slightly before the brook trout in the fall of the year and generally
in spring-fed areas of gravel-bottomed streams. Food consists of aquatic insects, crayfish
and other crustaceans and there is a somewhat greater proportion of fish in the
diet than is the case of the brook or rainbow trout. Earthworms, minnows and artificial
flies are popular lures; small plugs, spoons and spinners are also useful.
RAINBOW TROUT
(Salmo gairdneri)
The rainbow trout, also often called "steelhead" when it has access to the sea or to
a large lake in which to mature, was native to the Pacific slope from California to
Alaska. It has been widely stocked in Pennsylvania waters but has limited reproductive
success in most of them. This trout thrives in even warmer water than the brown
trout and does especially well in lakes and in the cooler ponds of the state.
The world's record for rainbow trout is 37 pounds taken in Lake Pend Oreille,
Idaho. The Pennsylvania record for rainbow trout appears to be 13 pounds, taken in
Kettle Creek in 1957. In recent years large rainbow or steelhead trout have been
caught in the lower ends of tributaries to Lake Erie where they go to spawn each
spring. The rainbow trout is probably the most active fighter of the group feeding
extensively on the surface and jumping frequently when hooked. The flesh is generally
white and is not considered as good eating as that of the brook or brown trout.
Gravel-bottomed streams with an active current are required for spawning. Normally
a spring spawner (March and April) fall hatchery strains have been developed and
fall spawning is known to occur in several streams of the Commonwealth. The food
consists of aquatic insects, snails, crustaceans and to a lesser degree fish. Artificial
flies, earthworms, especially in combination with small spinners, and minnows are
popular baits.
OPENING DAY OF PENNS yi'l/
14 PENNSYLVANIA ANG LEP
*•&*
s