Brook Trout

Description:

The brook trout's body is elongate with an average length of 38.1-50.8 cm, is only slightly laterally compressed; the body has its greatest depth at or in front of the origin of the dorsal fin. Another physical characteristic of the brook trout is an adipose fin and a caudal fin that is slightly forked. The coloration of the brook trout is very distinct and can be spectacular. The back of the brook trout is dark olive-green to dark brown, sometimes almost black, the sides are lighter and become silvery white ventrally. On the back and top of the head there are wormy cream colored wavy lines known as vermiculations which break up into spots on the side. In addition to the pale spots on the side there are smaller more discrete red spots with bluish halos. The fins of the brook trout are also distinct; the dorsal fin has heavy black wavy lines, the caudal fin has black lines, the anal, pelvic and pectoral fins have white edges followed by black and then reddish coloration.

Habitat:

Cool stream through sandstone gorge.

Notes:

Found several of these in the stream that goes through Parfrey's last October.