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Legendary Species · Idaho

Brook trout in Idaho

Salvelinus fontinalis[1]

97 Idaho waters whose agency species list names brook trout. Each links to its water page (gauge, regulations, access map, guides and shops) and to the agency list it comes from.

  • 97waters list it
  • 2destination hubs
Illustration of a brook trout: dark green back with pale wavy markings, red spots with blue halos and white-edged lower fins
Brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), illustration by Duane Raver for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Artwork: Duane Raver, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Idaho waters

Most fished first. A species missing from an agency list does not mean it is absent; this page lists only waters whose list names it (at least 5 are needed for a page).

All Idaho watersBrook trout: every state

Identification

  • Brook trout have worm-like markings (vermiculations) on the back and red spots, sometimes with blue halos, on the sides. The lower fins have a white front edge, then black, then reddish orange.[1]
    What the source says
    “Color variations include olive, blue-gray or black above with a silvery white belly and wormlike markings (vermiculation pattern) along the back. They have red spots sometimes surrounded by bluish halos on their sides. The lower fins have a white front edge followed by black and the remainder being reddish orange.”
  • In California, the brook trout is the only trout with wavy, maze-like lines (vermiculations) on its back and upper sides.[2]
    What the source says
    “Only trout in California with vermiculation pattern (wavy, maze-like lines) on back and upper sides.”
  • Brook trout belong to the char family and are often confused with bull trout. Brook trout have vermiculations and black spots on the dorsal fin, which bull trout lack.[3]
    What the source says
    “Closely related to and commonly misidentified as brook trout (both are members of the char family). A distinguishing characteristic is the lack of black spots on the dorsal fin. Do not have vermiculations that occur on brook trout.”

More on identifying brook trout

Status, protections and rules

As each agency stated them on the date read; a rule applies only where its agency says so. Check the current regulations for the water before you fish.

  • In Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the brook trout is the only native trout species.[4]
    What the source says
    “The brook trout is the only native species of trout in the Smokies.”
  • Great Smoky Mountains National Park reopened brook trout fishing in 2006 after a 30-year ban.[5]
    What the source says
    “As a result of research and successful restoration efforts, park management reopened brook trout fishing in 2006 after a 30-year ban.”

Water temperature in Idaho

  • Under 66°FIn the study Idaho Fish and Game cites, trout landed in water under 66°F survived best: mortality “was 69% higher for trout landed at 73°F water temperatures than for those landed when waters were less than 66°F.” In summer, “early-mornings are typically best while the water is still cool.”
  • WarmingIdaho Fish and Game cites a study in which mortality “was 69% higher for trout landed at 73°F water temperatures than for those landed when waters were less than 66°F.” Fish early: “early-mornings are typically best while the water is still cool.”
  • 73°FIdaho Fish and Game: “On those occasions where trout streams do get above 73°F, anglers may want to pause fishing because catch rates are noticeably lower.” Idaho sets no temperature closure: “Idaho Fish and Game is hesitant to close fishing in wild trout waters based on warm water temperatures.”

Sources: Perspective: Trout fishing during low water and high temperatures (25 July 2024; archived copy) (Idaho Department of Fish and Game); The heat is on, but trout and other coldwater fish have been around the block a time or two (9 Aug 2022; archived copy) (Idaho Department of Fish and Game).

Destination hubs

Hubs that list one of these waters, or that a water page is near: each has guides, shops, licences and trip planning for the area.

Hatch & season charts

Sources

Every fact on this page is our paraphrase of the page cited beside it, read on the date shown. Rules and seasons change: check the agency's current regulations before you fish.

  1. Brook trout Michigan Department of Natural Resources, read Oct 24, 2026.
  2. Fishing for Brook Trout (non-native) California Department of Fish and Wildlife, read Oct 24, 2026.
  3. Fishing for Bull Trout (native) California Department of Fish and Wildlife, read Oct 24, 2026.
  4. Fishing - Great Smoky Mountains National Park (U.S. National Park Service) National Park Service, read Oct 24, 2026.
  5. Fish - Great Smoky Mountains National Park (U.S. National Park Service) National Park Service, read Oct 24, 2026.