Lakes produce larger fish. Introduced from Europe to much of the United States during the late 1800's, the brown trout has adapted well, tolerating warmer water than the native brookie and supplanting it in many waters throughout the state. Young brown trout feed on aquatic insects and other invertebrates. As browns exceed a foot in length, they seek chubs, dace and other small fish. Brown trout are warier and harder to catch than brook trout and can live in streams too warm for brookies.
Browns also grow faster and larger.
The brown spawns in the fall and occasionally exceeds 10 pounds, even in small streams. It has dark spots and a few red spots on an olive background. Its square tail has few or no spots. They ascend tributaries in the fall and spring, spawn in the spring, and swim downstream to the lake. Young trout remain in the streams for up to three years and then enter the big waters of Lake Superior, where they feed on terrestrial insects, various other invertebrates, and small fish.