Top-Rated Lake Ontario Salmon & Trout Adventure

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. 

Chinook Salmon

# Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) Chinook salmon is also known as King Salmon and is the largest of the Salmon species. It is a popular game and commercial fish. Oncorhynchus tshawytscha is similar to its brethren Coho salmon and Rainbow trout. King Salmon has silver sides and blue-green back. It has black spots on the head, back, tail, and all the fins. It also has a black mouth and gums. Wild salmon are well known for their hard fighting ability and excellent table fare. ## Chinook Salmon Size and Weight Chinook salmon is a large fish and it can grow from 12 to 39 inches and weighs around 7 to 15 pounds. But depending on the habitat, weight can exceed 20 - 30 pounds. ## Chinook Salmon Interesting Facts • They can live up to 7 years. • This specie is anadromous. They migrate to Seawater and later return to spawn in freshwater. • Oncorhynchus tshawytscha die soon after spawning. • King salmon have reddish-pink or orange meat. • Males are more colored than females and have a distinguished nose and upper jaw. • Chinook salmon leaves a water body if the habitat starts degrading, making it a good indicator of the water conditions. ## Chinook Salmon Habitat Young Chinook salmon can be found in freshwater and estuaries. Adults move into the open Ocean for better nutrition and food. The fish can also be found in cold streams, especially in hiding places such as tree roots. Snow melting into lakes and streams also helps their environment. ## Chinook Salmon Spawning Chinook salmon are ready to spawn from 2 to 7 years of age. Female makes redds or gravely nests and lays the eggs. Depending on spawning time and temperature, hatching takes place in early spring or late winter. ## Chinook Salmon Food Young Chinook salmons feed on plankton, insects, small fish, and invertebrates. Adult Salmon in Ocean also enjoy many organisms such as sand lance, pilchards, squids, herrings, and crustaceans. ## Chinook Salmon Fishing Chinook salmon is sensitive to light so they stay at water bottom mostly. So, anglers should use weighted baits. The best time for fishing them is early morning or in the evening. Ship Creek in Anchorage, Alaska, and Lake Oahe in South Dakota are among the top spots to fish them. • Fly fishing King salmon is very exciting, but keep in mind to not swing too far and keep the fly swimming in water. • When Salmon fishing in lakes, down-rigging and trolling works best. • Anglers can also still fish in deep water using a herring. • Trolling is also an effective method using plugs, spoons, live or dead bait. ## Chinook Salmon Baits and Lures Fly Fishing: when selecting flies for king salmon, most of the time exact fly pattern is not overly important. However, depending on a bunch of variables (light, water levels, location, etc.) fly color can make a big difference. Some examples include rhea tube intruders, bunny leeches, marabou tubes, shanked intruders, minnows. On a bright day lean towards bright color combos like chartreuse/blue or pink/orange, and for cloudy/dark days blue/black and purple/black color combos. Other Fishing: Use of plugs, spoons, trolling flies, live or dead bait, sand shrimps ## Chinook Salmon Distribution Chinook can be found in the colder water of the Pacific Ocean from the coast of Alaska, Western Canada, Oregon, Idaho, Washington State, and Northern California. It has been introduced in Great Lakes of United States and can also be found in Japan and Russia.

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.