Brown Trout 101: Biology, Habitat, and Fishing Tactics

Learn how to catch brown trout—from wild fish in freestone rivers to lake run giants. Here’s everything you need to know to stick your biggest brown yet

By Max Inchausti – Field & Stream

If you think about fly fishing or river fishing in general, chances are that a brown trout comes to mind. Catching a big brown is the pinnacle for many trout anglers, whether fishing with fly gear or conventional tackle. Of course, a brown trout’s size is relative to where and when you fish. Even small browns have a way of getting anglers excited to hit the water, especially when they’re colored up. These predatory fish can be found in freestone creeks, big rivers, and large lakes. The widespread accessibility of the species and their hard-fighting nature make them one of the best freshwater gamefish.

I became obsessed with brown trout a long time ago. Given my addiction to fly fishing, it was a natural progression. Over the years, I’ve gone through different stages of chasing these fish. After learning how to catch a bunch at my local stream, I only wanted to catch big browns, then I only wanted to catch wild browns, and then I got into lake run browns. Then I started traveling to fish for brown trout and eventually ended up right where I began—loving to catch any brown trout willing to take my fly. Through both my experiences and time studying fisheries biology, I learned quite a bit about the species. Below is a beginner’s guide to brown trout, including important biology, history, and habitat preferences to help you land your biggest brown ever. CLICK HERE TO READ FULL STORY