Species
Brook Trout
On record in 1,258 waters across 16 states
Brook trout are technically char, not trout, and they're the native fish that Eastern anglers grew up chasing in small, cold mountain streams. They don't tolerate warm or degraded water, so where you find wild brookies, you're fishing clean, cold habitat.
Brook Trout are on record in 1,258 waters across 16 states, most heavily in New York, Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Michigan. FishableWaters tracks every brook trout stocking from state agency reports — use the state links and most-stocked list below to find waters near you.
By state
- New York268 waters
- Maine247 waters
- New Hampshire187 waters
- Massachusetts97 waters
- Michigan89 waters
- Utah87 waters
- Washington80 waters
- Wisconsin74 waters
- Vermont55 waters
- Pennsylvania50 waters
- Wyoming8 waters
- Montana7 waters
- Nebraska4 waters
- New Mexico2 waters
- Indiana2 waters
- Idaho1 waters
Most-stocked waters
- Schroon RiverNY43×
- Trout BrookNY15×
- Sandy RiverME15×
- Piscataquis RiverME14×
- Kiah PondNH13×
- Long PondNY12×
- Smith RiverNH11×
- Saco RiverME10×
- Pemigewasset RiverNH10×
- Ninemile CreekNY9×
- South Branch West Canada CreekNY9×
- Little RiverME9×
- Carrabassett RiverME9×
- Chittenango CreekNY9×
- Ware RiverMA8×
How to catch them
Brook trout in small streams aren't picky, but they spook easily, so a quiet approach and short casts beat distance. In stocked ponds and lakes they behave more like typical stocked trout, holding near structure and hitting a slow presentation right after a truck comes through.
Small spinners, worms, and dry flies work in streams — brookies will often rise to a fly even when nothing's hatching. In stillwater, PowerBait and small spoons fished near the bottom get it done on fresh stockings.
Know your fish
Olive-green back with pale worm-like markings, red spots surrounded by blue halos along the flank, and white leading edges on the lower fins. The belly turns fire-orange on spawning males in fall, one of the more striking transformations in freshwater fish.
Late spring through early fall for stream fishing, once runoff clears and flows drop into wading range. Fall is spawning season and off-limits in many states, so check local regulations before targeting brookies in October and November.
Freshest brook trout stockings
| Jul 29, 2026 | Fish LakeUT | 12,608 |
| Jul 29, 2026 | Fish LakeUT | 3,470 |
| Jul 21, 2026 | Ferron ReservoirUT | 1,514 |
| Jul 20, 2026 | Mid LakeUT | 497 |
| Jul 20, 2026 | Rudolph LakeUT | 289 |
| Jul 20, 2026 | Miller Flat ReservoirUT | 516 |
| Jul 20, 2026 | Rosalie LakeUT | 805 |
| Jul 20, 2026 | Bowden LakeUT | 450 |
| Jul 20, 2026 | Helen LakeUT | 845 |
| Jul 20, 2026 | Hoover LakeUT | 1,047 |
| Jul 20, 2026 | White Miller LakeUT | 1,100 |
| Jul 20, 2026 | West Timothy LakeUT | 2,255 |
| Jul 20, 2026 | East Timothy LakeUT | 1,006 |
| Jul 20, 2026 | Black LakeUT | 1,181 |
| Jul 16, 2026 | Upper Stillwater ReservoirUT | 7,319 |
Brook Trout — FAQ
Where can I catch brook trout?+
Brook Trout are stocked across 16 states, led by New York, Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Michigan. Pick a state below to see every water stocked with brook trout.
What's the best bait for brook trout?+
Small spinners, worms, and dry flies work in streams — brookies will often rise to a fly even when nothing's hatching. In stillwater, PowerBait and small spoons fished near the bottom get it done on fresh stockings.
When is the best time to catch brook trout?+
Late spring through early fall for stream fishing, once runoff clears and flows drop into wading range. Fall is spawning season and off-limits in many states, so check local regulations before targeting brookies in October and November.
How many waters are stocked with brook trout?+
1,258 waters across 16 states hold brook trout on record, updated daily from agency stocking reports.