Discover The Largest Brook Trout Ever Caught in California

If fishing is one of your hobbies, chances are you take pride in catching large members of the species for which you’re angling. If you’re looking for brook trout, this is no exception. The general consensus is that they’re not very difficult to catch, but catching a large one can be a huge accomplishment!

Brook trout are abundant in many locations throughout California. If you want to know about the largest one ever caught in the state, read on to discover the largest brook trout ever caught in California!

Where Brook Trout Live

The brook trout is actually not a native fish in California. It’s native to northeastern parts of the United States, as well as Eastern Canada. It’s only a native animal as far west as Minnesota and northeastern Iowa. However, this fish has been planted into different bodies of water all over the United States and Canada, which is how it came to California.

The brook trout was first introduced to the waters of California in 1871. Norman Clyde, a well-known Sierra mountaineer, is the one who is thought to have introduced the species to many lakes in the area.

These fish thrive the most in uninhabited areas since they do not compete well with other trout. This is particularly true in areas that have tributaries to larger bodies of water.

At this point, the brook trout has a strong presence in mountain streams and lakes between the San Bernardino Mountains and the Oregon border. It has the most abundant presence in the Sierra Nevada mountains.

These fish thrive the best in cold, clear streams and lakes. In California, these populations have established themselves well in small streams and isolated mountain lakes that are at high elevations.

At lower elevations, the California climate is too warm for these fish to do well. Optimal temperatures for them are between 57 and 66 degrees Fahrenheit (14 and 19 degrees Celsius), with a reduction in growth likely at any temperature higher than this.

Defining Features of Brook Trout Anatomy

Usually, the brook trout is either dark green or brown. This fish has a distinct pattern referred to as vermiculation. It’s a marbled pattern that resembles the appearance of a maze across the back and flanks, usually going up to the dorsal fin and back to the tail. The brook trout is the only California fish that exhibits this pattern.

The fish also has patterns of red dots and blue halos along the flanks. The lower fins and belly of this fish are usually a reddish color with white edges on the fins. In some cases, their bellies are normally white. The bellies of the brook trout, especially male brook trout, become even more red or orange in color when they are spawning.

Generally, both sexes of this fish become brighter in color during the spawning season, with dark-colored bellies, red lower fins, and red sides. The brook trout is also known to have a large mouth. The maxillary extends past the eye.

What Brook Trout Eat

In order to grow to a large size, brook trout need to have an abundance of food. They eat a lot of aquatic insects, including mayflies, caddisflies, and stoneflies, at the larva, pupa, and adult stages. They also eat terrestrial insects, including crickets, grasshoppers, beetles, and ants.

In addition to insects, brook trout eat amphibians (including frogs), crustaceans, mollusks, invertebrates, and smaller fish. In some cases, they will even eat small aquatic mammals, including voles. It’s not unheard of for them to eat other young brook trout as well.

Brook trout also eat zooplankton. The most intense feeding periods for these fish are in the early morning and evening, although they will generally eat whenever they can see their prey.

Typical Size of a Brook Trout

Typically, the brook trout is between 9.8 to 25.6 inches long. These fish usually weigh between 0.66 and 6.61 pounds.

The largest brook trout tend to live in streams and lakes located at moderate elevations, with limited populations of both brook trout and other fish species. It makes sense, then, that the largest brook trout would likely be present in areas that are most conducive to the growth of this fish.

Brook trout in California tend to be smaller in small, high-elevation streams. This means they are typically less than 14 inches long. They tend to be larger in lakes. This is where people are more likely to catch trophy brook trout, which are longer than 18 inches.

The Largest Brook Trout Ever Caught in California

Some brook trout have been much larger than average in California. However, so far, none have beaten the state record. The largest brook trout ever caught in California was a 9-pound, 12-ounce brook trout that Texas Haynes caught in Silver Lake via freshwater angling in September 1932.

Silver Lake is located in Mono County, which is situated on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada. This is one of the most popular locations where people go to catch brook trout.

Where is Silver Lake, California Located on a Map?

Silver Lake is nestled in the heart of Mono County, California. It can be found on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada mountain range and offers breathtaking views of its surrounding natural landscape. To get there, one must take Highway 395 to reach the town of June Lake, where Silver Lake is located. From there, visitors can access various hiking trails that lead them to scenic lookout points or embark on water activities such as fishing or boating on the lake itself. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast looking for an adventure or simply seeking a tranquil retreat away from city life, Silver Lake in Mono County promises an unforgettable experience.

The Largest Brook Trout Ever Caught in the World

The largest brook trout ever caught in California is impressive, but even more so is the world record. This was established in July 1915 in Superior County of Northern Ontario. Dr. Cook caught a brook trout from Nipigon River that was 31.5 inches long and weighed 14.5 pounds.

Actually, it is believed that this fish weighed closer to 20 pounds when it was first caught. Unfortunately, they didn’t have the necessary materials to preserve it, so the body of the fish lost weight before they were able to get its measurements.

This world record has held for over a century, and the community of Nipigon takes a great deal of pride in this.

Unfortunately, there was a fire at the Nipigon Historical Museum that destroyed many artifacts, including the original skin mount of the record-breaking brook trout. Employees were able to save some of the original remains and created a replica that is still on display today.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Slowmotion GLI/Shutterstock.com