Fish ID
Brown Trout
Wary, mostly nocturnal predator. Big browns eat other fish and are best targeted at low light and in the fall spawn.
Key ID marks
- Golden to olive-brown body
- Black and red spots with pale halos
- Few or no spots on tail
Mouth ID
Strong teeth; big males grow a hooked lower jaw (kype) in fall.
Typical size
12–24 in; trophies over 10 lb
Best season
Best in fall
Where
Sierra lakes, Truckee area, upper rivers
Look-alikes
Rainbow trout (pink stripe, spotted tail).
Fish & Game notes
Counts toward the trout limit. Some waters have special size limits. Check CDFW.
Current CDFW regulations →