Salmo trutta

Linnaeus, 1758

Brown Trout

G5Secure Found in 278 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G5SecureGlobal Rank
Least concernIUCN
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.103603
Element CodeAFCHA04070
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVertebrate Animal
IUCNLeast concern
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumCraniata
ClassActinopterygii
OrderSalmoniformes
FamilySalmonidae
GenusSalmo
Concept Reference
Robins, C.R., R.M. Bailey, C.E. Bond, J.R. Brooker, E.A. Lachner, R.N. Lea, and W.B. Scott. 1991. Common and scientific names of fishes from the United States and Canada. American Fisheries Society, Special Publication 20. 183 pp.
Taxonomic Comments
May hybridize with Salvelinus fontinalis.

See Bernatchez (2001) for a phylogeographic analysis based on mtDNA data.
Conservation Status
Review Date1996-09-12
Change Date1996-09-12
Range Extent Comments
Native to Europe and western Asia. Introduced and established throughout much of U.S. and southern Canada; locally common.
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

Mostly in cold, medium to high gradient streams, but lake and sea-run populations also exist. Tends to occupy deeper, lower velocity, and warmer waters than other species of trout (Sublette et al. 1990). Does best where dissolved oxygen concentration is at least 9 ppm and, in small streams, where canopy shade is 50-75% at midday (Sublette et al. 1990). Some migratory populations spend first 2 years in river, 1-2 years in lake, then return to river to spawn at 3-4 years. Spawns in waters ranging from large streams to small spring- fed tributaries; in shallow gravelly headwaters, rocky lake margins, or sometimes over sand or hard clay if no gravel available. Spawns in natal stream. Fry occupy quiet waters along shorelines or in shelter of objects that deflect flows (Sublette et al. 1990).

Ecology

Preys on other species of trout and competes with them for food and space (Sublette et al. 1990).

Reproduction

Spawns in fall or early winter. Eggs hatch in 1-2 months, depending on temperature. Sexually mature in 2nd or 3rd year (or up to 5th year). Typically spawns in more than one year.
Other Nations (2)
United StatesNNA
ProvinceRankNative
PennsylvaniaSNANo
District of ColumbiaSNANo
New YorkSNANo
MassachusettsSNANo
OregonSNANo
MarylandSNANo
UtahSNANo
CaliforniaSNANo
IllinoisSNANo
IndianaSNANo
DelawareSNANo
KentuckySNANo
GeorgiaSNANo
MichiganSNANo
New HampshireSNANo
IowaSNANo
NebraskaSNANo
VirginiaSNANo
AlabamaSNANo
Rhode IslandSNANo
TennesseeSNANo
ArkansasSNANo
ColoradoSNANo
West VirginiaSNANo
WashingtonSNANo
OhioSNANo
MontanaSNANo
North CarolinaSNANo
IdahoSNANo
MinnesotaSNANo
ConnecticutSNANo
MaineSNANo
New MexicoSNANo
Navajo NationSNANo
MissouriSNANo
WisconsinSNANo
WyomingSNANo
NevadaSNANo
ArizonaSNANo
South DakotaSNANo
VermontSNANo
New JerseySNANo
North DakotaSNANo
OklahomaSNANo
CanadaNNA
ProvinceRankNative
AlbertaSNANo
New BrunswickSNANo
British ColumbiaSNANo
Island of NewfoundlandSNANo
Prince Edward IslandSNANo
OntarioSNANo
Nova ScotiaSNANo
SaskatchewanSNANo
ManitobaSNANo
QuebecSNANo
Roadless Areas (278)
Arizona (6)
AreaForestAcres
Black River CanyonApache-Sitgreaves National Forests11,817
Campbell BlueApache-Sitgreaves National Forests7,003
CenterfireApache-Sitgreaves National Forests13,130
HellsgateTonto National Forest6,171
PinalenoCoronado National Forest130,920
Sierra Ancha Wilderness ContiguousTonto National Forest7,787
California (56)
AreaForestAcres
AgnewSequoia National Forest9,561
Bald MountainTahoe National Forest5,832
Birch CreekInyo National Forest28,816
Black CanyonInyo National Forest32,421
Black Mtn.Sequoia National Forest15,102
Chips CreekLassen National Forest29,089
Chips CreekPlumas National Forest12,940
City CreekSan Bernardino National Forest9,997
Coyote NorthInyo National Forest11,932
Coyote SoutheastInyo National Forest53,159
Deep CreekSan Bernardino National Forest23,869
Devil's Gate (CA)Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest9,946
Dexter CanyonInyo National Forest17,053
Dinkey LakesSierra National Forest34,171
Excelsior (CA)Inyo National Forest45,607
Glass MountainInyo National Forest52,867
Grouse LakesTahoe National Forest19,085
Hall Natural AreaInyo National Forest5,236
Hoover - Green Ck NoHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest7,155
Hoover - Mt.olsenHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest624
Hoover - NorthHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest1,574
Hoover - Twin LakesHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest102
Hoover - Virginia LksHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest5,050
Horse Mdw.Inyo National Forest5,687
HortonInyo National Forest5,717
Iceberg - Mill CreekHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest26,988
Kings RiverSierra National Forest52,999
Log Cabin SaddlebagInyo National Forest15,165
Middle ForkPlumas National Forest29,278
MonarchSierra National Forest697
MosesSequoia National Forest22,077
Mt. JacksonHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest20,721
Mt. OlsenInyo National Forest2,161
NessieInyo National Forest830
North Fork Middle Fork American RiverTahoe National Forest11,245
North LakeInyo National Forest2,406
PaiuteInyo National Forest58,712
Pleasant ViewAngeles National Forest26,395
PowleyModoc National Forest6,268
PyramidEldorado National Forest24,347
RinconSequoia National Forest54,610
Robinson PeakHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest5,835
Rock Creek WestInyo National Forest3,626
Salt CreekAngeles National Forest11,022
San JoaquinSierra National Forest22,474
SherwinInyo National Forest3,140
Slate Mtn.Sequoia National Forest12,299
SoldierModoc National Forest10,102
South SierraSequoia National Forest8,008
South SierraInyo National Forest41,853
SugarloafSan Bernardino National Forest8,206
Table Mtn.Inyo National Forest4,215
TinemahaInyo National Forest27,060
Wheeler RidgeInyo National Forest15,744
Wonoga Pk.Inyo National Forest11,272
WoodpeckerSequoia National Forest11,936
Colorado (7)
AreaForestAcres
Bristol HeadRio Grande NF46,087
Comanche Peak Adjacent AreaArapaho & Roosevelt NFs44,158
Dome PeakRoutt NF35,716
HermosaSan Juan NF148,103
Long ParkRoutt NF42,100
Pagoda PeakRoutt NF57,676
Red TableWhite River NF39,122
Georgia (3)
AreaForestAcres
Ellicott Rock AdditionChattahoochee National Forest690
Lance CreekChattahoochee National Forest9,025
Sarah's CreekChattahoochee National Forest6,888
Idaho (2)
AreaForestAcres
Italian PeakCaribou-Targhee National Forest141,158
PalisadesCaribou-Targhee National Forest122,002
Montana (35)
AreaForestAcres
Allan Mountain (01946)Bitterroot National Forest104,184
Bear - Marshall - Scapegoat - SwanLolo National Forest118,485
Big LogHelena National Forest8,954
Big Snowy Mountains WsaLewis and Clark National Forest88,003
Cabin Creek Wildlife Management Area OcdGallatin National Forest35,048
Cabinet Face East #671Kootenai National Forest50,326
Cattle GulchBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest19,390
Cherry PeakLolo National Forest37,862
Cube Iron - SilcoxLolo National Forest36,998
Devils Gap #698Kootenai National Forest5,353
Devils TowerHelena National Forest7,144
Fishtail SaddlebackCuster National Forest16,359
Freezeout MountainBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest97,305
Gallatin FringeGallatin National Forest51,571
Hyalite - Porcupine - Buffalo Horn Wilderness Study AreaGallatin National Forest143,991
Italian PeakBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest90,401
LionheadGallatin National Forest33,549
MadisonGallatin National Forest127,859
Mt. Gmt Area HCuster National Forest1,335
North AbsarokaCuster National Forest21,063
North AbsarokaGallatin National Forest159,075
North Big HoleBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest52,227
QuiggLolo National Forest67,267
Scotchman Peaks (MT)Kootenai National Forest53,909
Selway - Bitterroot (01067)Bitterroot National Forest114,953
Silver KingBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest64,289
Silver KingLolo National Forest12,816
Stony MountainBitterroot National Forest44,057
Stony MountainLolo National Forest32,796
Sundance RidgeLolo National Forest7,558
Tash PeakBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest61,312
Teepee - Spring CreekLolo National Forest13,902
Welcome CreekLolo National Forest1,063
West Big HoleBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest133,563
West PioneerBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest248,631
Nevada (12)
AreaForestAcres
Arc Dome - Secret BsnHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest74,782
Black SpringHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest11,016
Bunker HillHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest27,569
Chineese Camp (NV)Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest15,207
Fourmile HillHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest15,718
Pearl PeakHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest71,405
Pine Grove SouthHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest88,945
QuinnHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest62,459
Ruby - Lamoille CynHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest32,771
Ruby - ThompsonHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest5,289
Toiyabe RangeHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest99,225
Wellington HillsHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest21,009
New Hampshire (3)
AreaForestAcres
Carr MountainWhite Mountain National Forest17,110
Presidential - Dry River ExtWhite Mountain National Forest10,555
Sandwich RangeWhite Mountain National Forest16,797
New Mexico (18)
AreaForestAcres
Black CanyonSanta Fe National Forest1,922
Capitan MountainsLincoln National Forest14,069
Columbine - Hondo Wilderness Study AreaCarson National Forest43,739
Contiguous To Blue Range WildernessGila National Forest1,980
Cruces BasinCarson National Forest5,244
Devils CreekGila National Forest89,916
Grass MountainSanta Fe National Forest3,254
Holy GhostSanta Fe National Forest2,352
Jacks CreekSanta Fe National Forest740
Latir PeakCarson National Forest3,573
Mother HubbardGila National Forest5,895
NolanGila National Forest13,051
PecosCarson National Forest13,436
Pecos WS RiverSanta Fe National Forest5,396
San Pedro ParksSanta Fe National Forest5,824
Thompson PeakSanta Fe National Forest33,001
Virgin CanyonSanta Fe National Forest6,068
Willow CreekSanta Fe National Forest1,477
North Carolina (13)
AreaForestAcres
Bald MountainPisgah National Forest11,085
Balsam ConePisgah National Forest10,591
BearwallowPisgah National Forest4,113
Cheoah BaldNantahala National Forest7,795
Chunky Gal (addition)Nantahala National Forest3,336
Harper CreekPisgah National Forest7,325
Jarrett CreekPisgah National Forest7,485
Lost CovePisgah National Forest5,944
Middle Prong AdditionPisgah National Forest1,852
Slide HollowPisgah National Forest193
South Mills RiverPisgah National Forest8,588
Tusquitee BaldNantahala National Forest13,670
Wilson CreekPisgah National Forest4,863
Oregon (6)
AreaForestAcres
Bull Of The WoodsMt. Hood National Forest8,843
Mt. BaileyUmpqua National Forest18,401
Mt. ThielsenWinema National Forest1,153
North PaulinaDeschutes National Forest19,670
Sky Lakes AWinema National Forest3,940
South PaulinaDeschutes National Forest9,074
South Carolina (1)
AreaForestAcres
Ellicott Rock 2Sumter National Forest517
South Dakota (2)
AreaForestAcres
Cheyenne RiverBuffalo Gap National Grassland7,572
Red ShirtBuffalo Gap National Grassland17,007
Tennessee (4)
AreaForestAcres
Beaver Dam CreekCherokee National Forest5,070
Big Laurel Branch AdditionCherokee National Forest5,577
Stone MountainCherokee National Forest5,367
Upper Bald RiverCherokee National Forest9,202
Utah (75)
AreaForestAcres
0401002Ashley National Forest36,113
0401008Ashley National Forest15,616
0401009Ashley National Forest30,378
0401010Ashley National Forest21,886
0401011Ashley National Forest30,062
0401012Ashley National Forest46,400
0401013Ashley National Forest11,909
0401014Ashley National Forest26,903
0401023Ashley National Forest8,352
0401024Ashley National Forest12,882
0401032Ashley National Forest6,471
0401037Ashley National Forest1,166
0418033Ashley National Forest24,909
0419020Ashley National Forest355,684
418001Uinta National Forest5,697
418002Uinta National Forest19,152
418003Uinta National Forest10,912
418004Uinta National Forest16,661
418008Uinta National Forest9,367
418009Uinta National Forest18,064
418012Uinta National Forest25,758
418013Uinta National Forest14,643
418014Uinta National Forest9,683
418015Uinta National Forest17,289
418016Uinta National Forest35,240
418017Uinta National Forest19,631
418018Uinta National Forest11,218
418021Uinta National Forest6,255
418024Uinta National Forest51,699
418025Uinta National Forest32,698
418029Uinta National Forest15,673
418034Uinta National Forest6,170
418040Uinta National Forest1,702
418042Uinta National Forest7,313
418043Uinta National Forest9,493
418044Uinta National Forest5,495
Big Bear CreekManti-Lasal National Forest28,440
Boulder MountainWasatch-Cache National Forest8,852
Boulder Mtn. / Boulder Top / Deer LakeDixie National Forest110,690
Boulger - Black CanyonManti-Lasal National Forest23,286
Box - Death HollowDixie National Forest3,175
Bullion - DelanoFishlake National Forest14,917
Burch CreekWasatch-Cache National Forest6,938
Casto BluffDixie National Forest87,466
Circleville MountainFishlake National Forest24,142
Deer CreekDixie National Forest39,818
East MountainManti-Lasal National Forest30,705
FishhookDixie National Forest12,959
Fishlake MountainFishlake National Forest25,217
Hay LakesDixie National Forest22,144
High Uintas (UT)Wasatch-Cache National Forest102,398
Hilgard MountainFishlake National Forest28,389
Horse Mountain - Mans PeakManti-Lasal National Forest22,159
Joe LottFishlake National Forest19,826
LakesWasatch-Cache National Forest121,967
Lewis PeakWasatch-Cache National Forest11,616
Mahogany RangeWasatch-Cache National Forest11,409
Marysvale PeakFishlake National Forest22,624
Mcgath Lake - Auger HoleDixie National Forest8,334
Mt. Logan NorthWasatch-Cache National Forest18,930
Mt. Logan SouthWasatch-Cache National Forest17,014
Mt. Logan WestWasatch-Cache National Forest5,285
Mt. NaomiWasatch-Cache National Forest41,922
Mt. OlympusWasatch-Cache National Forest9,982
NoblettsWasatch-Cache National Forest3,116
North FrancisWasatch-Cache National Forest8,148
PavantFishlake National Forest42,560
Pine Valley MountainsDixie National Forest57,673
Right Hand Fork LoganWasatch-Cache National Forest15,023
Signal PeakFishlake National Forest30,889
Stump CreekCaribou National Forest355
Tushar MountainFishlake National Forest39,992
Twin PeaksWasatch-Cache National Forest6,157
WellsvilleWasatch-Cache National Forest1,717
White MountainFishlake National Forest23,939
Vermont (1)
AreaForestAcres
Bread LoafGreen Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests1,768
Virginia (8)
AreaForestAcres
Beaver Dam CreekJefferson National Forest1,135
Laurel ForkGeorge Washington National Forest9,967
Mountain Lake Addition AJefferson National Forest1,469
New London Bridge BranchJefferson National Forest844
Oliver MountainGeorge Washington National Forest13,090
Peters Mountain Addition A (VA)Jefferson National Forest1,268
Raccoon BranchJefferson National Forest4,388
Seng MountainJefferson National Forest6,428
Washington (1)
AreaForestAcres
Thorp Mtn.Wenatchee National Forest22,717
West Virginia (5)
AreaForestAcres
Gauley MountainMonongahela National Forest13,285
Laurel ForkMonongahela National Forest1,172
Mcgowan MountainMonongahela National Forest10,504
Peters Mountain Addition A (WV)Jefferson National Forest343
Seneca CreekMonongahela National Forest22,287
Wyoming (20)
AreaForestAcres
0401018Ashley National Forest6,157
0401019Ashley National Forest6,202
Cloud Peak ContiguousBighorn National Forest113,757
French CreekMedicine Bow-Routt National Forest5,928
Horse Creek MesaBighorn National Forest77,808
Laramie PeakMedicine Bow-Routt National Forest28,608
Leigh CreekBighorn National Forest19,180
Libby FlatsMedicine Bow-Routt National Forest11,107
Little Popo AgieShoshone National Forest8,333
Middle ForkMedicine Bow-Routt National Forest13,238
Middle ForkShoshone National Forest51,772
Pacific Creek - Blackrock CreekBridger-Teton National Forest24,658
PalisadesTarghee National Forest1,121
Piney CreekBighorn National Forest22,240
Rock CreekMedicine Bow-Routt National Forest18,874
Salt River RangeBridger-Teton National Forest235,661
South ForkShoshone National Forest64,903
Walker PrairieBighorn National Forest62,434
West Slope WindsBridger-Teton National Forest143,252
Wilderness Study AreaTarghee National Forest51,961
References (21)
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