Vermont Symbols, Cold Water Fish: Brook Trout

Adopted on May 3, 1978.

Vermont boasts the most unusual walleye designation. When students campaigned for the adoption of the brook trout, the State Fish and Game Commission wanted to add the walleye because it inhabits Vermont's largest lake, Lake Champlain, which is relatively warm.

In a compromise, the brook trout was named the official cold water fish, the walleye the state warm water fish on May 3, 1978.

Joint Resolution R-91 of the Acts of 1978, effective on May 3, 1978, designated not one but two State Fishes: the Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) as the cold water fish, and the Walleye Pike (Stizosedion vitreum vitreum) as the warm water fish. Both are handsome, sporty and tasty game fish. The Brook Trout is the state's only trout native to its streams. Its mature weight varies considerably, depending on habitat in both cold brooks and ponds, but generally averages under a pound. The biggest Brook Trout caught in Vermont since official records began in 1969 weighed 5 lbs. 12 oz. The Walleye Pike, found in many Vermont lakes, takes its name from its unusual "marble" eyes which in certain light look very light or transparent. Its mature weight is four to eight pounds and the biggest one caught since 1969 weighed 12 lbs. 8 oz.

Identifying Features: Brook trout have a dark olive body with a brownish to greenish back and light worm-like markings. The sides are pale with several small blue-bordered red spots. The lower fins have dark and light edges.

Typical Adult:

Length: Up to 18 inches (sometimes up to 34 inches)
Weight: Up to 3 pounds (may reach 14 pounds)
Life span: Up to 15 years

Distribution: North America: most of eastern Canada from Newfoundland to western side of Hudson Bay; south in Atlantic, Great Lakes, and Mississippi River basins to Minnesota and northern Georgia in USA. Widely introduced in temperate regions of other continents. Several countries report adverse ecological impact after introduction.

Habitat: Brook trout live in clear and cold streams, lakes, and ponds, often with access to sea, but are mostly found in the headwaters of spring-fed streams. The preferred water temperature is 53-56 °F.

Feeding Behavior: Brook trout feed on a wide variety of aquatic insects and other invertebrates. Often they will feed on other fish and vertebrates such as salamanders, tadpoles, small snakes, and mammals that get too close or fall into the water.

Reproductive Behavior (Spawning):

When: Brook trout spawn in the fall between mid-October to early December.
Preferred Water Temperature: 40-49 °F
How: Spawning takes place on the gravel-bottom areas of streams, usually near springs. Lake and pond populations spawn in shallow gravel-bottom areas near springs where there is some upwelling through the gravel. Females dig spawning pits or redds by lying on their sides and vibrating the tail rapidly. The female may be attended by several males who court her by approaching and touching her sides. When the female is ready to spawn, she moves to the bottom of the redd with the male. The male moves his body so as to hold the female in position. They vibrate together for several seconds as the female exudes her eggs and the male emits sperm. After spawning, the female will cover the nest with gravel by sweeping her tail. Spawning such as this may occur several times throughout the season by both partners. Hatching time is variable and depends on water temperatures. There is no parental care given to the eggs or hatchlings.