Brown Trout
Brown Trout are golden-brown to olive on their back and sides; with large dark spots on their sides, dorsal fin and sometimes upper lobe of their tail. Red spots with light halos dispersed along their side.
About This Species
The brown trout was first brought into this state in the 1890s and is now abundant from high mountain streams to broad rivers flowing onto the plains. These fish can be difficult to catch, but many anglers have good success during their fall spawning runs. A large dark spotting pattern and reddish dots can help anglers distinguish these fish from rainbows and cutthroats.
Big Brown Trout in Colorado
video: Livin' The Wildlife: Spawning Brown Trout
Every year, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) fishery biologists set up a spawn-take operation for brown trout at North Delaney Butte Lake near Walden, CO. Biologists capture brown trout and collect more than a million eggs, which are shipped to CPW hatcheries. Once hatched and raised, the brown trout are restocked in waters throughout the state. North Delaney is the primary source of brown trout eggs in Colorado. Although they are non-native, brown trout are some of the most popular fish among anglers.