Scientific name:
Salmo Trutta
Identification:
Brown trout caught in Lake Michigan have an overall silvery color with “X” shaped markings on the back and upper half of their body, a squared tail, small and numerous spots on their head, the inside of their mouth white, and 12 or less rays in their anal fin.
Distribution:
Native to Europe and western Asia from Iceland to Afghanistan. Introduced into North America as early as 1883 (New York and Michigan). Now found throughout Canada and the United States from the Great Lakes eastward and from the Rocky Mountains west to the Pacific Ocean. Successfully stocked in the Wisconsin waters of Lake Michigan since 1966 and now common along the shore of Marinette south to Kenosha.
Spawning:
Spawining takes place around October and November. The female makes the next as the males defends the territory. The eggs hatch after 50-150 days depending on water temperatures. The colder the water the longer it takes.
Angling:
Brown trout can be caught by anglers on a year round basis. Some of the best brown trout fishing is done in the springtime with light tackle. Best catches are made from Marinette to Algoma. Favorite techniques include trolling or casting minnow‐type plugs and spoons. In the summer, trolling in Green Bay produces very good catches of brown trout. Small spoons and plugs are trolled 2 to 5 miles offshore, at depths of 15‐30 feet in water 50‐70 feet deep. Between October and June, brown trout provide an excellent sport fishery in the cooling water discharge plumes of power plants from Kewaunee south. Live bait, small spoons, jigs, and plugs are most often used in these areas