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brown trout

brown trout (Salmo trutta)
Illinois Status: common, nonnative
Photo © Engbretson Underwater Photography

Features and Behaviors

​FEATURES
The brown trout has orange- or rust-colored spots on the sides. Its tail fin is not forked. An adipose fin is present. The back is olive-brown with scattered dark spots while the lower sides and belly are yellow or white. The inside of the mouth is white. This fish may exceed forty pounds in weight.

BEHAVIORS
The brown trout lives in cool lakes and streams. This fish feeds from dusk to morning. It eats whatever is available, including fishes. The brown trout is native of Europe, Africa and Asia. It was introduced into the United States around 1883. It is maintained in Lake Michigan by an annual stocking program.

Illinois Range

Taxonomy

​Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Salmoniformes
Family: Salmonidae

Habitats

Aquatic
Lake Michigan; lakes, ponds and reservoirs; rivers and streams