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© 2026 Barbless.co. Flow and gauge data from USGS; weather from Open-Meteo. · v2026.10.18.2

  1. Home
  2. Fish
  3. Char
  4. Brook Trout

Updated September 26, 2026

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Brook Trout: fish species profile

Fish › Char

CharSalmonidaeG5 (Secure) · ESA: Not listed · Idaho: SNA

Brook Trout

Salvelinus fontinalis

A colorful introduced char of Idaho’s cold streams, small rivers, lakes, and reservoirs.

Overview

Size range

10–34 in

Size range

10–34 in

Size range

Typical adult length in the waters we cover.

Water temperature

Coldwater

Water temperature

Coldwater

Water temperature

Preferred thermal regime for this species.

Active season

Spring through fall

Active season

Spring through fall

Active season

When anglers most often encounter this species.

Origin

Introduced

Origin

Introduced

Origin

Stocking and native history where this species is found.

Habitat

Headwater Streams, Rivers & Large Rivers, Lakes & Reservoirs

Habitat

Headwater Streams, Rivers & Large Rivers, Lakes & Reservoirs

Habitat

Primary water types where this species is found.

About Brook Trout

Brook trout are introduced to Idaho but are well established in many cold, well-oxygenated waters across the state. They are a favorite of anglers for their bright fall colors, readiness to bite, and presence in smaller streams as well as select rivers and lakes.

Also known as: brookies

Brook Trout Silhouette

  • Brook Trout species silhouette
    Primary

Behavior

spawning
Brook trout spawn in fall, when fish develop vivid colors and move onto clean gravel in cold tributaries, spring-fed areas, or shallow stream margins.
feeding style
Brook trout are coldwater feeders that commonly take drifting subsurface invertebrates, especially as juveniles, and larger fish may also eat small fish.
seasonal notes
They are most at home in cold, well-oxygenated water and often feed best during cooler parts of the day or season. In Idaho streams, they are commonly encountered in headwaters, smaller tributaries, and cooler river sections.

Habitat

water types
small streams, rivers, lakes, reservoirs, headwaters
preferred holds
Look for them in cold, well-oxygenated water near undercut banks, beaver ponds, woody cover, pools, spring influence, and current seams where food drifts past.

Where Found

Blue Ribbon waters

  • Brook trout

    Big Lost River

  • Brook trout

    Big Wood River

  • Brook trout

    Henrys Fork of the Snake River

  • Brook trout

    Henrys Fork of the Snake River, Box Canyon to Riverside

  • Brook trout

    Henrys Fork of the Snake River, Headwaters to Box Canyon

  • Brook trout

    Henrys Fork of the Snake River, Riverside to Mouth / terminus

  • Brook trout

    Teton River

Recommended waters

  • Brook trout

    Bear River, Alexander Reservoir to Eightmile Road Bridge

  • Brook trout

    Bear River, Bear Lake Outlet to WY State Line

Brook Trout on the podcast

  • Yuba River Fly Fishing - Guide Jon Baiocchi

    Episode 25 · Jan 4, 2018

    Yuba River Fly Fishing - Guide Jon Baiocchi

    Listen on the Barbless Podcast

  • The Ultimate Sportsman, Remick Smothers

    Episode 157 · Jun 16, 2020

    The Ultimate Sportsman, Remick Smothers

    Listen on the Barbless Podcast

Diet

They feed mainly on aquatic insects and other drifting invertebrates, with bigger fish sometimes taking small fish.

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Angler Tactics

tactics
Fish light tackle and cover water quietly. In streams, target pocket water, plunge pools, undercut banks, and beaver-pond edges; in lakes and reservoirs, work shorelines, inlet areas, and other cool-water margins with small offerings.
effective methods
dry flies, nymphs, small spinners, small spoons, worms

Regulations

Brook trout are not a protected species, but seasons, tackle rules, and bag limits vary by water. Check the specific Idaho Fish and Game rules for your river, stream, lake, or reservoir before fishing; for example, some Bear River reaches list brook trout separately from the general trout limit.

Regulations vary by water. Check current Idaho Fish and Game rules before fishing.

Conservation

Status: Introduced to Idaho

G5 (Secure) · ESA: Not listed · Idaho: SNA

Explore fish

Browse species profiles with habitat, diet, tactics, and linked waters across the state.

Browse all fish

On this page

OverviewSilhouetteBehaviorHabitatWhere FoundFrom the PodcastDietAngler TacticsRegulationsConservation

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On this profile

  • 41 waters
  • 27 food sources
  • 1 photo

Brook trout

Bear River, Cove Plant to Grace Dam

  • Brook trout

    Bear River, Eightmile Road Bridge to Georgetown

  • Brook trout

    Bear River, Georgetown to Bear Lake Outlet

  • Brook trout

    Bear River, Grace Dam to Last Chance Dam

  • Brook trout

    Bear River, Last Chance Dam to Alexander Dam

  • Brook trout

    Bear River, Oneida Narrows Dam to Cove Plant

  • Brook trout

    Bear River, Preston to Riverdale

  • Brook trout

    Bear River, Riverdale to Oneida Narrows Dam

  • Brook trout

    Birch Creek

  • Brook trout

    Blackfoot River

  • Brook trout

    Buffalo River

  • Brook trout

    Clark Fork River

  • Brook trout

    East Fork Salmon River

  • Brook trout

    Fall River

  • Brook trout

    Kootenai River

  • Brook trout

    Last Chance Creek, Custer County

  • Brook trout

    Last Chance Creek, Latah County

  • Brook trout

    Lemhi River

  • Brook trout

    Little Lost River

  • Brook trout

    Little Wood River

  • Brook trout in tributaries

    Middle Fork Boise River

    Primarily in tributaries

  • Brook trout in tributaries

    Middle Fork Payette River

    Primarily in tributaries

  • Brook trout

    North Fork Big Wood River

  • Brook trout in tributaries

    North Fork Payette River

    Primarily in tributaries

  • Brook trout

    North Fork Saint Joe River

  • Brook trout

    Pahsimeroi River

  • Brook trout

    Priest River

  • Brook trout

    Robinson Creek

  • Brook trout

    Saint Maries River

  • Brook trout in tributaries

    South Fork Payette River

    Primarily in tributaries

  • Brook trout

    Valley Creek

  • Brook trout

    Warm River