Top Brook Trout Fishing Countries

The brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) is a colorful freshwater fish native to eastern North America, prized for its beauty, spirited fight, and delicate flavor. Recognized by its marbled green back, red spots, and white-edged fins, the brook trout thrives in cold, clean streams and lakes. The United States and Canada are the top countries for brook trout fishing, with regions like the northeastern U.S., the Great Lakes, and eastern Canadian provinces such as Quebec and Newfoundland offering renowned wild and stocked fisheries. While commercial harvest is limited due to conservation concerns and the species’ sensitivity to environmental changes, brook trout support vibrant recreational fishing industries, contributing significantly to local economies through tourism and angling-related businesses. Some European countries, including the United Kingdom and France, have also introduced brook trout for sport fishing, but North America remains the heartland of both wild populations and the brook trout angling tradition.

Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.