Species Profile: Brook Trout
Brook trout. Photo by Freshwaters Illustrated.
Brook trout or “speckled trout” (Salvelinus fontinalis)
The only trout native to the Appalachians may be more unique than we know. The scientific jury is still out as to whether our “speckled trout” are different from northern brook trout. One thing is sure – this magnificent creature is losing ground to pollution, sedimentation, deforestation and invasive species (including other trout). Every foot of stream containing brook trout merits all the protection we can give it.