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Brown Trout

Brown Trout

Brown trout are non-native fish introduced to Maine in 1885, making Maine the third state in the US to introduce this European species. They're now an important part of Maine's coldwater fishery program, stocked annually into many lakes, ponds, and rivers.

Brown trout are highly adaptable and can thrive in marginal waters unsuitable for native brook trout and landlocked salmon, including mesotrophic waters with limited cool, oxygenated water and high competition levels.

Scientific Name: Salmo trutta

Physical Characteristics:
  • In Maine, browns typically measure 14-20 inches and weigh 1-2 pounds, though they occasionally reach 10+ pounds - the state record was caught in 1997 at Square Pond in Acton weighing over 23 pounds.
  • Age 1 wild browns are approximately 4-6 inches, reaching 6-8 inches at age 2, with phenomenal growth rates in productive waters like the Kennebec River where stocked 7-inch fish can nearly double in size after one year.
  • Sea-run brown trout populations can exceed 10 pounds.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • They're found in lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams throughout Maine.

Key Locations

  • The Kennebec River from Skowhegan to tidewater offers exceptional brown trout fishing, with the lower river benefiting from abundant alewives and smelt.
  • Other productive waters include sections of the Androscoggin River, Presumpscot River, and numerous stocked lakes and ponds throughout southern and central Maine.
  • Notable populations in the Kennebec River system, Androscoggin River, and numerous lakes across central and southern Maine.
  • A few coastal rivers in southern Maine support sea-run brown trout populations.

Specific Spots

  • Target deep pools, undercut banks, current breaks behind boulders, and areas with overhead cover.
  • Target areas with crayfish, stonefly nymphs, and baitfish populations, as these are primary food sources.

Brown Trout FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Brown Trout in Maine?

Bright spinners, spoons, minnows, or worms. During ice fishing: small minnows, worms, or salmon e.g.gs.

What flies work for Brown Trout in Maine?

Nymphs like pheasant tail nymphs (sizes 16-22), hare's ear nymphs, and prince nymphs. Dr.y flies: Blue Winged Olives (BWOs) in sizes 18-22 during winter and early spring, elk hair caddis (sizes 12-16) for late spring through fall, and hopper patterns during summer.

When is the best time to fish for Brown Trout in Maine?

Brown trout fishing is best during spring and fall in Maine, with excellent opportunities from late April through June and September through October. During ice fishing season, jig in shallow water under 15 feet near the bottom.

How do you catch Brown Trout in Maine?

For fly fishing, nymphs fished with floating line and strike indicators work well, as browns spend 80% of their time feeding on bottom. Dr.y flies work well during hatches. For larger browns, streamers are highly effective. During ice fishing season, jig in shallow water under 15 feet near the bottom.

What do Brown Trout eat?

They're opportunistic feeders with a diverse diet including insects, fishes, crayfish, mollusks, and even small mammals. Browns become increasingly piscivorous as they mature, feeding on sculpins, crayfish, leeches, stonefly nymphs, alewives, and smelt.

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