FishableWaters

Species

Brown Trout

On record in 1,320 waters across 19 states

Brown trout are the smart, suspicious cousin in the trout family — they get big, they get old, and they get hard to fool. A stream that's been holding the same brown trout for a few seasons will teach you more about reading water than any book will.

Brown Trout are on record in 1,320 waters across 19 states, most heavily in Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, Wisconsin and Michigan. FishableWaters tracks every brown trout stocking from state agency reports — use the state links and most-stocked list below to find waters near you.

Brown Trout
Duane Raver / USFWS

By state

Most-stocked waters

How to catch them

Browns feed most confidently in low light, so dawn, dusk, and overcast days beat bright midday sun. They hold tight to cover — undercut banks, log jams, deep pools — and a stealthy approach matters more with browns than with any other stocked trout.

Streamers stripped through deep runs account for the biggest browns most seasons, especially sculpin and minnow patterns fished slow. Live minnows, nightcrawlers, and small crankbaits worked along structure also produce, particularly at night when big browns move shallow to feed.

Know your fish

Golden-brown body with large black spots and a scattering of red or orange spots ringed in pale blue, and no spots on the tail, unlike rainbows. The kype — that hooked lower jaw — shows up on older males and is a dead giveaway you're holding a mature brown.

Fall is browns at their most aggressive and most visible, as spawning fish move into gravel runs and feed hard beforehand — prime streamer season. Late fall and early spring stockings also put fresh browns in rivers before water temps climb.

Freshest brown trout stockings

Jul 14, 2026Mineral LakeWA1,688
Jul 8, 2026Mineral LakeWA3,500
Jul 2, 2026Youghiogheny RiverPA
Jul 2, 2026Youghiogheny RiverPA
Jul 1, 2026Rob Roy ReservoirWY1,020
Jul 1, 2026Upper Ammonoosuc RiverNH200
Jul 1, 2026Upper Ammonoosuc RiverNH500
Jun 30, 2026Little Androscoggin RiverME16,000
Jun 30, 2026Little Androscoggin RiverME16,000
Jun 30, 2026Little Androscoggin RiverME8,000
Jun 30, 2026Little Androscoggin RiverME8,000
Jun 26, 2026Middle Pea Porridge PondNH60
Jun 25, 2026Pemigewasset RiverNH378
Jun 25, 2026Ammonoosuc RiverNH150
Jun 25, 2026Ammonoosuc RiverNH500

Brown Trout — FAQ

Where can I catch brown trout?+

Brown Trout are stocked across 19 states, led by Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, Wisconsin and Michigan. Pick a state below to see every water stocked with brown trout.

What's the best bait for brown trout?+

Streamers stripped through deep runs account for the biggest browns most seasons, especially sculpin and minnow patterns fished slow. Live minnows, nightcrawlers, and small crankbaits worked along structure also produce, particularly at night when big browns move shallow to feed.

When is the best time to catch brown trout?+

Fall is browns at their most aggressive and most visible, as spawning fish move into gravel runs and feed hard beforehand — prime streamer season. Late fall and early spring stockings also put fresh browns in rivers before water temps climb.

How many waters are stocked with brown trout?+

1,320 waters across 19 states hold brown trout on record, updated daily from agency stocking reports.