Brook trout are found in the East. They eat different things in different places. In cold, clean water, they eat whatever they find.
Think of their diet as a buffet. They love insects and crustaceans. They also eat worms, leeches, fish, eggs, and small mammals.
Brook trout are part of the char family. They live in the Appalachians and New England. Now, they are found in the Rockies and Sierra Nevada too.
When it’s time to eat, brook trout act fast. They eat most in the morning and evening. In the fall, they eat eggs. Winter is slower, but they keep eating nymphs.
Brook trout basics: species overview, habitat, and why diet matters for Salvelinus fontinalis
Salvelinus fontinalis is known as many names. These include brook trout, charr, salter, coaster, and aurora trout. Diet is key to their growth, movement, and behavior. In their habitat, food supply affects their energy use and life pace.
Brook trout are char, not true trout: quick ID and life history
To identify brook trout, look for white-edged fins and wormy patterns on their back. They have blue halos around red spots. Brook trout are char, not like rainbow or brown trout.
They are usually small, under 12 inches, in streams. But in lakes, they can grow big if there’s plenty of food.
They eat fast and adapt to what’s available. This quick eating helps them grow, even in cold waters with short seasons.
Native East; introduced West: where diet opportunities differ across the U.S.
In the East and Great Lakes, brook trout are native. Out West, they are stocked or live on their own. Managers sometimes ask for harvest to protect native fish.
Diet changes with location. In the East, they eat insect nymphs and tiny crustaceans. In the West, they eat crayfish, scuds, and terrestrials, making their diet wider.
Cold, clean, oxygenated water: how habitat shapes available prey
Brook trout need cold, clean, oxygenated streams and lakes. These waters support insect life and keep their metabolism balanced. Clear flows and stable temperatures mean they can eat at set times.
When it gets warmer or flows drop, they seek cooler spots. This link between water quality and food is clear, changing with the seasons.
| Aspect | Key Details | Diet Impact | Regional Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxonomy | Char genus Salvelinus; species Salvelinus fontinalis | Guides brook trout identification and behavior cues | Consistent across ranges |
| Native vs introduced range | Native East and Great Lakes; introduced widely in West | Shifts prey mix and competition | Harvest policies vary by state agency |
| Habitat | Coldwater fisheries with clean, well-oxygenated streams and lakes | Favors insect nymphs, scuds, and small fish | Mountain headwaters and spring-fed creeks excel |
| Water quality | Stable temps, high oxygen, low sediment | Supports dense invertebrate bases | Flashy flows reduce feeding windows |
| Life history | Small in streams; larger in productive lakes | Size tracks prey density and diversity | Lacustrine fish often add minnows and crayfish |
What does brook trout eat
What do brook trout eat daily? Brook trout eat a lot of things. They like mayflies, caddisflies, stoneflies, and midges. They also eat scuds, freshwater “shrimp,” crayfish, and sowbugs.
When water is rich, they eat minnows, sculpin, and small brook trout. In fall, they love salmon and trout eggs. They also eat frogs, salamanders, and mice when banks are green.
Summer brings grasshoppers, beetles, ants, cicadas, moths, and dragonflies. Where it’s light, they eat more on the surface. In tight spaces, they eat fast and often.
In big lakes, they look for open-water food. In Lake Superior and Lake Nipigon, rainbow smelt are common. This is shown in this in-depth look at brook trout diet.
In cold months, they eat midges and nymphs in deep water. Spring brings baitfish, shrimp, and crayfish. Summer is when they eat the most, including big prey.
Fall is for egg eating, a key part of their diet.
Core prey categories: insects, crustaceans, worms, fish, eggs, and more
Brook trout eat a lot of different things. They like insects, crustaceans, worms, fish, and eggs. They also eat frogs, salamanders, snails, beetles, and sometimes even mice.
In-depth prey breakdown shows how this mix changes. It depends on the water and the season. Trout eat what they can find, thanks to the current or wind.
Opportunistic feeders: grabbing what small streams and lakes provide
In tight headwaters, trout have to make quick choices. They eat anything they can find fast. This includes nymphs, scuds, sowbugs, and worms.
In natural lakes, trout eat different things too. They go for trout nymphs, minnows, crayfish, and beetles near weeds.
This way of eating helps trout save energy. They eat what falls from above or what they find on the bottom. Small spinners work well because of this.
From tiny nymphs to big bites: size range of meals through a brookie’s life
Young brook trout start with small food like midges and mayfly nymphs. As they grow, they eat bigger things like caddis pupae and crayfish.
Big trout eat even more. They go for trout nymphs, minnows, leeches, and sometimes frogs or salamanders.
When fish spawn, trout look for eggs. They also eat young sculpin or smaller trout. This is a big meal for them.
When food is scarce, strike-first behavior ramps up
In lean water, trout get hungry fast. They become bold and chase food quickly. They eat small insects, crustaceans, and eggs before they can get away.
Anglers see this as quick hits on lures. They use things like Stimulator, Elk Hair Caddis, and Copper John. This is because trout eat fast when food is scarce.
Aquatic insects and nymphs: the everyday menu item
Brook trout mostly eat bugs that live in the water. Mayflies and caddisflies can make a pool lively. But most of their food comes from below the surface.
Most of their meals are found underwater. This is shown in an overview on what trout eat. When there’s a flurry of wings, fish eat emergers and pupae. Then, they go back to the bottom.
Mayflies, caddisflies, stoneflies, and midges on and below the surface
Mayflies at dusk make the water come alive. Caddisflies in the day make brookies chase them. Stonefly nymphs on rocks are easy prey.
Midges are always there, feeding trout all day. Look for fish in eddies and foam lines.
Nymphs as year-round staples in creeks, rivers, ponds, and lakes
Stonefly and mayfly nymphs are always there, even in cold weather. Trout nymphing works all year with small imitations.
In calm waters, dragonfly and damselfly nymphs hide in weeds. Brook trout catch them against wood before going back down.
Evening and morning hatches: surface feeding windows
Most hatches happen in the morning and evening. Morning brings mayflies and the odd spinner. Evening has mayflies, caddisflies, and midges near shore.
Midday, fish go deeper to eat bugs. At dawn and dusk, they feed on the surface in skinny seams.
| Insect Group | Main Phase Eaten | Prime Water Type | Key Window | On-Water Cue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mayflies | Nymphs, emergers, spinners | Riffles to soft seams | Evening mayfly hatch | Steady rise forms in slicks |
| Caddisflies | Pupae, adults | Pocket water, banks | Dusk caddis hatch | Skittering takes near foam lines |
| Stoneflies | Stonefly nymphs | Cold, oxygenated runs | All day subsurface | Fish hugging bottom, short strikes |
| Midges | Larvae, pupae, adults | Tailouts, edges | Daily hatch windows | Tiny dimples, subtle sips |
| Dragonflies/Damsels | Nymphs | Weeds, woody cover | Midday ambush | Short bursts, bank-side boils |
Crustaceans in the diet: scuds, shrimp, crayfish, and sowbugs
Brook trout eat small crustaceans all year. In clear spots, they move like a conveyor belt. Using scuds, shrimp, and a sowbug fly can bring steady catches.
Scuds and freshwater “shrimp” drifting near the bottom
Scuds and shrimp move low, from 1/8 inch to over an inch. They slide by weed beds and seams. A dead-drift or soft swing of a small pattern works well.
When it’s slow, try a slight lift-drop. Keep leaders thin and casts short in tight spots. In lakes, fish the inside weed edge where it’s sunny.
Crayfish along banks and rocks: larger protein-packed targets
Crayfish are big and tasty near boulders and cut banks. Brook trout chase them for food. A quick, stripped craw along edges can get big bites.
Start with olive, rust, or brown. Short hops mimic a startled crawl. Fish warm afternoons when crayfish are active and it’s clear.
Sowbugs washed in from damp shorelines
Sowbugs live in wet places and get washed into streams. A slim sowbug fly near cutbanks looks like food. It’s great with scuds in small streams.
Use light split shot or a thin wire wrap to keep it low. Fish slow bends and undercut roots where trout wait.
| Crustacean | Typical Habitat | Size Range | Presentation Tip | When It Shines |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scuds | Weed beds, lake shelves, gentle river seams | 1/8–1 inch+ | Dead-drift or soft swing to match bottom drift forage | All seasons; clear water with steady flow |
| Freshwater shrimp | Cold, clear springs, tailwaters, spring-fed ponds | 1/4–3/4 inch | Natural drift with brief lifts during lulls | Slow bite periods and bright mid-day light |
| Crayfish | Banks, boulder fields, riprap, under rocks | 1–3 inches | Quick strips or short hops along structure | Warm afternoons; larger brook trout |
| Sowbugs | Damp shorelines, cutbanks, flooded grass | 1/4–1/2 inch | Slim sowbug fly tight to banks with light weight | After rain or wind events pushing debris |
Worms and leeches: reliable protein in moving and still water
Brook trout look for easy food when water moves fast or gets calm. After storms, banks fall and water picks up food in certain spots. In clear water, short casts near cover can lead to quick bites.
Reading water matters. Look for spots where fish might hide, like undercut banks and behind rocks. These places are good for finding trout in lakes and slow river bends. Keep your presentation simple and let the water help.
Earthworms after rains and along undercut banks
After rains, worms become a big deal for trout. They fall from the ground and hide under banks. A live worm or a simple red worm works well for catching trout.
Cast close to the water’s edge and lift your line quickly. In undercut banks, short, slow casts are better. Even after the water clears, worms stay in pockets near logs.
Leeches as common stilwater forage
In ponds and lakes, leeches are a common snack. Use leech patterns in black, brown, or olive to mimic their movement. Cast them near weeds at dawn and dusk.
Let the fly sink, then pause it to get bites. In slow rivers, use a gentle swing to keep the fly low. If fish are hard to catch, try smaller flies and lighter lines.
Fish, eggs, and larger prey: minnows, sculpin, and seasonal egg feasts
When water gets cooler, trout start looking for meat and eggs. They often eat minnows or sneak up on sculpin in tight spots. In fall, salmon eggs are a big hit, giving trout the energy they need.
Minnows and sculpin: quick flashes that trigger strikes
Small creeks and big rivers are perfect for ambushes. A quick flash from a baitfish can make trout strike. Using a Clouser Minnow with fast strips works well.
Patterns that look like sculpin or minnows are great. They help you catch trout in clear water.
Fish eggs in fall: salmon, trout, and other species during spawning
As leaves fall and water flows increase, egg patterns become key. Brook trout eat salmon eggs in the drift. This happens a lot in riffles.
On cloudy days, trout keep biting. Soft presentations help your flies stay in the water longer.
Occasional piscivory: big brookies eating smaller brookies
Big trout like to guard certain spots. They might eat smaller trout when they’re hungry. This usually happens in low light.
| Prey/Imitation | Key Trigger | Best Water | Presentation Tip | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clouser Minnow (baitfish) | Flash and speed | Undercut banks, current seams | Fast, two-strip cadence; pause on turns | Mimics trout eating minnows fleeing predators |
| Sculpin-style streamer | Bottom crawl and dart | Boulder fields, tailouts | Short strips, then dead-drift near rocks | Tracks true to sculpin prey stuck to substrate |
| Egg bead/yarn (roe) | Color and tumble | Below redds and riffle heads | Dead-drift with light weight in egg patterns fall | Matches salmon eggs drifting naturally |
| Juvenile-brookie streamer | Profile and silhouette | Deep wood, cutbanks | Slow swing at dusk; brief burst retrieve | Triggers piscivory brook trout in low light |
Amphibians, mammals, and terrestrials: frogs, salamanders, mice, and more
Brook trout get bold when they see big food near the bank. In warm months, they eat more and strike at the surface. Terrestrial flies fall into the water on windy days.
Frogs and salamanders: twitchy movement brook trout can’t resist
In quiet spots, trout chase frogs that kick in the water. They like short, quick movements. In brushy creeks, trout look for salamanders in dark places.
Match the size of the frogs to your area. In the Upper Midwest, small imitations work. In Appalachia, use slimmer shapes. Keep your movements quick and sudden.
Mice near shorelines at dusk and night
Big brookies follow a wake near logs at dusk. Mouse fly fishing is great here. Cast across and swing tight to the bank, then pause.
Cloudy evenings are good, and low water makes the fish easier to hear. Use a strong tippet and keep your rod up to avoid roots.
Terrestrials in summer: grasshoppers, beetles, ants, cicadas, moths, dragonflies
When it’s hot, hopper patterns are best. Grasshoppers and beetles fall in grassy spots. Ants come first in spring, and cicadas later, making big splashes.
Terrestrial flies are important in shady spots. Moths and dragonflies move low. A quiet splash near logs can be a big catch. Change fly sizes with the wind.
| Prey Type | Prime Habitat | Best Timing | Presentation Tip | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frogs | Beaver ponds, back eddies, grassy margins | Warm afternoons to dusk | Short twitch, long pause | Trout eat frogs when sudden kicks signal escape |
| Salamanders/Newts | Undercut banks, woody cover, leaf beds | All day in shade, post-rain | Slow crawl near bottom | Slim profile matches salamander trout food in dark water |
| Mice | Bank lines, log jams, overhanging grass | Dusk to full dark | Mouse fly fishing with steady wake | Predatory response to a fleeing silhouette |
| Grasshoppers | Meadow reaches, windy banks | Midday, breezy days | Hopper patterns with audible plop | Wind knocks food in; big caloric reward |
| Beetles & Ants | Overhung brush, tight pockets | Late morning to evening | Dead drift, micro twitches | Small, common terrestrials trout see often |
| Cicadas | Tree-lined banks, warm valleys | Late June–August | Slow drift, occasional skitter | Large, noisy meals during emergences |
| Moths & Dragonflies | Slack seams, edges of weed beds | Evening and calm mornings | Gentle land, brief lift | Surface motion mimics low-hovering insects |
- Windy afternoons push food to banks; work downstream bends first.
- At dusk, slow down and let wakes form before moving the fly.
- Rotate terrestrial flies by size as gusts rise and fall.
Seasonal and daily feeding patterns: winter lows to summer highs
Brook trout eat differently with water temperature, flow, and light. Think of their diet like a calendar. Match your fishing to their feeding times for better catches.
Winter: slow metabolism, nymphs and midges in deeper water
Cold weather makes fish hide in soft spots and pools. Winter nymphing is great for catching them. Use flies or lures that sink to the bottom.
Spring: warming trends bring minnows, shrimp, and crayfish into play
When it gets sunny, creeks come alive. Fish start eating minnows, scuds, and crayfish along rocks. Nymphs are good on cooler days. Watch for when the temperature rises to find the best time to fish.
Summer: peak diversity from terrestrials to larger prey
Long days and warm spots attract summer terrestrials like grasshoppers and ants. Brook trout also chase minnows and young fish at dawn and dusk.
Fall: pre-spawn fueling, then egg-focused opportunities
In early fall, fish eat a lot of nymphs, midges, worms, and baitfish. As spawning starts, the fall egg bite is key. Trout look for salmon and trout eggs in riffles. Fish when the trout are most active.
Dawn, midday, dusk, and night: how activity shifts by light and temperature
Dawn is when crayfish, minnows, and nymphs are most active. Midday is slower, with fish hiding deep and eating emergers. Dusk is when caddis and mayflies get eaten on the surface. Night is for mice and worms. Each time of day offers a chance to catch trout.
Diet by waterbody: creeks, rivers, ponds, and lakes across the U.S.
Brook trout eat what’s around them. In small creeks, they hide under roots and logs. They catch midges, mayflies, caddisflies, and ants.
They also eat eggs from other fish. This is common in the East, where cold water makes insects their main food.
In rivers, their diet gets bigger. They catch worms, scuds, and freshwater shrimp. They also eat stoneflies and salmonflies.
Leeches and minnows are part of their diet too. Rivers change from fast to slow, helping trout find food easily. Simple lures that look like worms or small fish work well.
In ponds, trout eat frogs, crayfish, and snails. They also eat small minnows. At dusk, they eat midges and beetles near weeds.
In lakes, trout eat bigger prey like minnows and sculpin. They also eat frogs and small turtles. But they always eat midges and beetles.
Where you are matters. Streams in the East focus on insects. Western waters have more crayfish and bugs from the land. But worms, scuds, midges, and minnows are always good choices.
