The Largest Brook Trout Ever Caught in Tennessee Was as Big as a Ream of Paper

One of the most popular outdoor activities to enjoy while visiting or living in Tennessee is fishing. There are thousands of lakes, ponds, reservoirs, and rivers to choose from. Some of the best lakes for fishing in the state include Douglas Reservoir, Kentucky Lake, and Pickwick Lake. One of the most well-known fish in the state is the brook trout. It’s the only native trout species in Tennessee. Catching a large brook trout is a big accomplishment. The largest brook trout caught in Tennessee was as big as a ream of paper! Can you guess its size? Follow along to find out.

On April 1, 2016, Saŝa Krezić caught the largest brook trout in the Caney Fork River in Tennessee. It weighed 4 pounds and 12 ounces. Jerry Wells caught the previous record for the largest brook trout in the state. He caught a 3-pound and 14-ounce brook trout in August 1973 on the Hiwassee River.

About Brook Trout

Brook trout are freshwater fish in the family Salmonidae. Brook trout are important fish. In fact, they are the state fish for nine states in the United States including Michigan, Vermont, New Hampshire, New Jersey, West Virginia, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Brook trout go by many different names depending on the region. They are sometimes also called brookie, mud trout, speckled trout, and squaretail.

Appearance and Size

Brook trout are dark green to brown fish with a marble pattern. They have small white spots, but the shade varies. Around the flanks, these fish have small red dots. During spawning, male brook trout develop bright red or orange bellies. Brook trout are about 9.8 to 25.6 inches long and weigh between 0.66 to 6.61 pounds. However, the largest recorded specimen weighed 15 pounds.

Diet

So, what do brook trout eat? Brook trout have a diverse diet. Their diet changes as they age. For example, juvenile brook trout mainly consume plankton. However, as they grow, they eat larger insects. Mature brook trout eat insects, small fish, and frogs.

Distribution and Habitat

Brook trout are native to Eastern North America. While they are only native to parts of North America, you can find these fish all over the world. They’ve been widely introduced to Europe and Asia. They are abundant throughout the Appalachian Mountains. You can find them as far west as eastern Iowa. Brook trout were introduced to other parts of the world n the 1850s. In the United States, depending on the region, they are considered an invasive species. For example, brook trout are found in the Rocky Mountains, but they aren’t native. In the Yellowstone National Park, brook trout are also abundant. Anglers are allowed to catch as many brook trout as possible in some places in the national park.

Brook trout are beautiful. They live in many clear rivers, ponds, and lakes, which makes them easy to spot. Brook trout are also sensitive to changes in pH levels.

Predators

The larger a brook trout, the fewer predator they have. Common brook trout predators include larger fish, river otters, and some birds like herons. Snapping turtles also consume small and young brook trout. However, a brook trout’s main predator is humans. Brook trout aren’t aggressive. They protect themselves by hiding under bank cover and vegetation.

Where to Find Brook Trout in Tennessee

Trout fishing in Tennessee is a popular hobby and sport. Sadly, while brook trout is native to the state, their range has diminished because of threats like non-native rainbow trout. Currently, about 150 streams have wild brook trout. Some of the best places to fish for brook trout include Left Prong Hampton Creek, Sycamore Creek, and Raven Fork.

World Record for Largest Brook Trout Ever Caught

Did you know that the world record for the largest brook trout has been standing for over 100 years? Dr. Cook impressively caught a 14.5-pound and 31.5 inches long in the Nipigon River in 1915. In other words, the world record is about 3 times as large as Tennessee’s record catch! Nipigon River is in Ontario, Canada. Nipigon River is a 30-mile river and the largest tributary of Lake Superior. Fishing is very popular in this river. There are at least 46 species of fish within Nipigon River. Apart from brook trout, you can catch lake trout, salmon, and rainbow trout. Fishing is typically available from May through November.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Dec Hogan/Shutterstock.com