Expert-Guided Knife River Fishing Charters

Brown Trout

Brown Trout (Salmo Trutta)  Description

Brown Trout are medium-sized premier cold-water game and sport fish. It has been introduced in suitable environments globally and is considered the backbone of many fisheries. These fish have brown or golden-brown backs and a yellowish or white belly. The back and sides are covered with black spots. Head and tail are sometimes spotted. There is a small reddish or orange adipose fin near the tail. Brown trout can be distinguished from similar salmon by their vomerine teeth.

Brown trout resembles Brook trout, Chinook salmon, Coho salmon, and Rainbow trout. 

Brown Trout Size and Weight

The average size for this fish is 8-24 inches but can grow up to 39 inches depending on the habitat. They can weigh from 1 – 9.5 pounds. 

When were Brown Trout Introduced in the United States?

Brown trout, a native of Europe and Asia, was first introduced to the United States in 1883. The species was brought to Michigan by Fred Mather, a fish enthusiast who believed brown trout would be an excellent addition to American waters. The introduction of brown trout was met with great excitement by anglers across the country, as this species is known for its fighting ability and delicious taste. 
Since its introduction over a century ago, brown trout has become one of the most popular game fish in the United States. Today, it can be found in almost every state and is especially abundant in western rivers and streams. One of the reasons for its success is its adaptability - brown trout can thrive in cold and warm water environments.

To keep up with the demand from anglers, many states have implemented stocking programs to increase brown trout populations.

Interesting Facts 

The Brown Trout live for 12 years but can have an extended life span of up to 18 or 20 years.

Brown trout can be found on almost every continent except Antarctica and many can be found living in the ocean.

They are stocked in 45 states as it's a popular game fish. They are self-sustaining in 34 states.

The Brown Trout is a Guidesly employee favorite to catch on a run!

Where do Brown Trout Live in the United States?

Brown Trout prefers to live in covers and cool, clear, and calm waters. A temperature of 54°F to 65°F is ideal for these fishes but can survive up to 75°F. Sea trout travel to brackish or ocean waters and return to freshwater for spawning. Found in small streams, large rivers, and any trout stream with the right water temperature, aquatic insects, and clean water. This species is usually restricted to freshwater, though a few migrate to the sea between spawnings.

Widely distributed, the Brown Trout can be found throughout 45 states and Canada.

Spawning 

The spawning season for these fish starts in fall and early winter.  River trout look for a head riffle or a freshwater stream to spawn. The site is dug by the females, where the eggs are laid and covered with gravel. Hatching occurs in spring. 

Diet

Brown trout consume aquatic insects, salamanders, frogs, worms, crustacean mollusks, and other fish. In the sea, they eat alewives and other small fish. 

Are Brown Trout Good to Eat?

Many people enjoy catching brown trout for sport, others wonder if it's good to eat. The answer is yes, brown trout can be a delicious and healthy addition to your diet. 

The taste of brown trout depends on various factors, such as the quality of the water they inhabit, their diet, and how they are cooked. Generally speaking, brown trout has a mild flavor that is slightly sweet with a firm texture. It's often compared to rainbow trout or salmon but with a milder taste.

To cook brown trout, you can grill it with some lemon juice and herbs for added flavor. Pan-frying or baking are also great options that allow the natural flavors of the fish to shine through. Just make sure not to overcook it, as this can result in dry and tough meat.

Fishing Techniques - How to Catch Brown Trout

During the fall season, Brown Trout feed aggressively at night. They can be found in deep pools, overgrown vegetation, or hiding near rocks. Many anglers recommend fishing for them near piers, while others only consider fly fishing in streams. For fly fishing, dry fly or crawfish imitation can be used. A fly rod of 9 ft. length and 5 weight will wield for excellent results. They can use a line of 4-6 weight. 

On the Great Lakes, trolling is an ideal option, or small spinners or baits can be used under a floater. Popular baits and lures used are streamers, woolly bugger, pheasant tail nymph, crayfish, and green caddis. 

Coho Salmon

# Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus Kisutch) Coho salmon is a famous sport and commercial fish. It is very acrobatic in nature and is a good fighter. It is also known as silver salmon. The fish is similar to Chinook salmon (but not as large), Rainbow trout and Brook trout. Wild Salmon is well-known for its tremendous taste. Coho Salmon has dark blue-green back, silversides, and white belly. Black spots are present on the back and upper sides of the tail. Mature Coho Salmon has maroon to reddish sides and dark backs. ## Coho Salmon Size and Weight Coho Salmon can be 12 to 30 inches long and weighs about 8 to 12 pounds. Silver Coho caught from the Great Lakes, weighed 33 pounds 4 ounces and so, holds the world record. ## Coho Salmon Interesting Facts • The fish, Oncorhynchus Kisutch, is anadromous in nature. • They die soon after spawning. • Silver Salmon has a bright orange/red meat. • Males have extended upper and lower jaw developing a hook (kype), making it impossible for them to close their mouths. • Coho salmon is said to live up to 5 years. • This fish can jump vertically up to 6 feet. ## Coho Salmon Habitat They tend to live in calm and quiet areas under debris and can be found in large rivers connected to the ocean. During the early stage, the juvenile Coho salmon spends its time in freshwater. After growing a bit, the fish moves to live in estuaries or brackish water (mix of fresh and saltwater) and later migrates into the ocean. ## Coho Salmon Spawning A female Oncorhynchus Kisutch is ready to spawn at age of 3. Gravel nests are made by the female and fertilized eggs are laid. Eggs hatch in 6 to 7 weeks. Depending on the temperature of the water, eggs hatch in late winter or early spring. ## Coho Salmon Food Coho Salmon can eat aquatic insects, smaller fishes, squid, herrings, pilchards, crustaceans, and sand lance. ## Salmonidae Family Coho salmon share the Salmonidae species order with trout. Other popular salmon include the Sockeye salmon (red salmon), Chinook salmon (King salmon), Atlantic salmon, Pink salmon & Chum salmon. ## Coho Salmon Fishing Salmon is a desired game fish well known for their fight. What makes the coho and all salmon unique is their migration from the river to ocean and back to the river. The Pacific Ocean salmon can be found in Alaska, Canada, Washington, Oregon and in Northern California. Katmai National Park, Alaska is famous for Coho salmon fishing. • In fast waters, swinging spinners is a popular decision. • For holding water, twitching jigs are recommended. Buy a jig with long tail for better movement in the water. • You can also use float fish roe for Coho Salmon fishing in both traveling and holding water. For this, fasten a cut roe with hook and swing it into the water. • Coho Salmon is a renowned game fish and anglers enjoy its fly fishing. As the Silver Salmon are fighters, to fly fish for them you can use a single hand rod with a strong handle for better lifting power. ## Coho Salmon Baits and Lures Fly fishing flies include leaches, various minnow patterns, or wooly buggers are good starts. Bright patterns such as chartreuse, pink and Fuchsia. Spin casting lures include plugs, spoons, trolling flies, live bait like minnows and roe. ## Coho Salmon Distribution Coho Salmon can be found in North Pacific Ocean. The fish also ranges from Alaska streams and rivers to Central California and from Southeast Alaska water bodies to Central Oregon. It is also reported in Baja California, Mexico.

Lake Trout

## Lake Trout (Salvelinus Namaycush) The lake trout is the largest member of the char family. Lake trout have a grey to green coloring with a lighter belly, the fish also have yellow to cream colored markings on its body and fins as well. Lake trout are known to be slow growing, and mature late in their lives and have low reproductive potential when compared to other species of game fish. ## Lake Trout Habitat Lake trout are a cold-water species, like a cold water species, they rely on high levels of oxygenation to survive. Lake trout are a very popular game fish and are the only major native game fish to inhabit deep and cold water of oligotrophic lakes, like those of northern Canada and the Great Lakes region. Most of the time the Salvelinus Namaycush can be found in these deep and cold water lakes suspended in the middle of the basin, sometimes at deep depths.  Lake trout have a relatively narrow distribution and range when compared to other species. Lake trout are found in the northern reaches of North America including the Great Lakes region and throughout Canada and parts of Alaska and to a lesser extent the Northeastern United States. Lake trout have also been artificially stocked in Europe like the Scandanavian country of Sweden. New Zealand, South America, and even parts of Asia have stocked populations of lake trout as well. ## Lake Trout Size Lake Trout are the largest of the char species, with sizes of 15-40 pounds not uncommon, and averages lengths of 24-36 inches. The world record Lake trout were caught on rod and reel Great Bear Lake in the Northwest Territories of Canada and was 72 pounds and had a length of 52 inches. ## Lake Trout Facts Lake Trout are known to hybridize with Brook Trout, creating a hybrid species known as “Splake” hybrid fish such as splake are usually sterile. And Fisheries around North America raise and stock splake in bodies of water to provide more sport fishing opportunities for fishermen. Due to being a cold water species Lake Trout in the southern reaches of their distribution and range tend to live in very deep water during the summer months, where the water temperatures are more suited to their needs. ## Lake Trout Fishing The best time to fish for Lake Trout really depends on factors like weather, These fish prefer to avoid bright light, so a good time to fish them are typically in overcast or low light conditions. Not only do lake trout prefer these conditions they also generally feed more frequently during these times. Most importantly is finding bodies of water with which lake trout inhabit, as they have such particular habitats and not all lakes can support them. Seeking out the deep water areas of these lakes are a great place to start. In the spring immediately after ice out can be a great time for fishermen to pursue lake trout, with the colder water temperature the fish can be found relatively shallow. ## Lake Trout Fishing Lures Jigging is the preferred method when targeting this species due to fishing in deep water. Lures like the Rapala Jigging Rap and lure that imitate wounded baitfish work great. Other great options are lures like jig heads with soft plastic paddle tail swimbaits used in a jigging fashion, skirted jigs and bladed jigging spoons are also great options. Crankbaits are great if the Fish are higher in the water column or if you're trolling, allowing the crankbaits to reach their maximum depth. Don't count out old fashioned spoons either, they can be a great tool to catch lake trout. ## The Trout Family Trout are members of the family Salmonidae, order Salmoniformes. The native trout family is closely related to salmon. A top fly fishing family of fish that are both tremendous game fish and tasty eating fish. Found in small streams, large rivers, and any trout stream with the right water temperature, aquatic insects, and clean water. The trout species is usually restricted to freshwater, though a few types migrate to the sea between spawnings. Members of the trout species include [Rainbow Trout](https://guidesly.com/fishing/fish-species/rainbow-trout), [Brown Trout](https://guidesly.com/fishing/fish-species/brown-trout), [Brook Trout](https://guidesly.com/fishing/fish-species/brook-trout), [Lake Trout](https://guidesly.com/fishing/fish-species/lake-trout), [Steelhead Trout](https://guidesly.com/fishing/fish-species/steelhead), [Bull Trout](https://guidesly.com/fishing/fish-species/bull-trout), [Cutthroat Trout](https://guidesly.com/fishing/fish-species/cutthroat-trout), [Apache Trout](https://guidesly.com/fishing/fish-species/apache-trout) and several other smaller species.