14 replies to this topic

[TimShovel]

First off, I'm a newbie to the forum, so hi. Second, I have been interested in Brook trout for years, but have never actually gone out to fish them. I have the gear and the means to get to most spots, I just need to know which tributaries hold Brook trout. There used to be all kinds of them up here, but they are nonexistent now. Anything you may have heard or read about is fine, I'm just completely clueless as to where to find them. 

Thanks for the help,

Tim

 

[salmotrutta]

Cold, spring fed streams.

 

Thick wild forests with plenty of shade.

 

Though I've even found huge schools of them in what can be described as an open, shallow beaver dam/swamp/pond area with no shade. But it was connected to a spring fed stream of course. 

 

Check with MNR where they may have stocked in your area. They have stocked certain streams throughout southern Ontario in an attempt to repopulate them. 

 

Fast running, cool streams in relatively untouched land usually spell trout. They can be in the littlest trickle so don't overlook tiny streams. 

[Alfiegee]

Good general info from salmo.
Likely all you will get here Tim. Brookies have become so rare since I first fished them that anyone knowing good places would likely rather have teeth pulled than share. As is so often said on this forum, do the leg work.
If you find them, please single barbless hooks and take pics home not fish, unless hooked thru gills
Lastly, if you find some feel free to shoot me a PM

Alfie.

[TimShovel]

Thank you both. I've heard Brook trout fishermen are notoriously tight lipped. I never thought to check MNR for stocking programs, but thats probably a good place to start. If I find them I'll be sure to send out a pm to anyone that helped. Thanks again, Tim

Ps. Never keep my fish, and if possible I'll be chasing them on a fly rod, so barbless goes without saying, if not, I'll be sure to go barbless. Cheers. 

[fishfreek]

Brook trout are great in the pan with some butter, It's not a crime to keep a few once  in a while.

[hamiltonangler94]

Brook trout are loads of fun. I love the settings you usually find them in. Usually its in a untouched thick pine forest; one of my favourite types of fishing. But yes good spots are hard to find, especially here in Southern Ontario. I'm sure there are a number of areas in the Barrie region, there seems to be large tracts of forest up that way. Id take a drive on some country roads and look for any roadside streams, you'll be surprised what you find! Anyways the farther north you go, the better opportunities you'll find. I've been fishing for them for a couple of years, and I only know a handful of spots.

[salmotrutta]

Winter is a good time for scouting streams for the upcoming season. If you find a stream that's running, while everything else is frozen, it's likely spring fed and where brook trout live.

 

It's beautiful (and tantalizing) to see little streams running in the midst of snow and ice everywhere else.

[Alfiegee]

I agree that keeping a couple Specks is no crime. To me they are the best tasting fish there is bar none. My point is if you find them hitting Brookies are notorious for hitting hard and deep. Release lightly hooked fish. Keep bleeders as they likely won't live anyway. Hence barbless.
And yes, after 45 yrs of fishing Specks and watching them disappear, I admit I am very tight lipped about my spots. Many streams I fished 15 even 10 yrs ago no longer have fish left. It is sad.
That being said. I actually found a new spot 2 yrs ago ( not near Barrie ). A friend took us out to ride ATVs ( not really my thing.), we turned off a main hiway and drove 50 ft when I saw water and a culvert. Stop I said and went down and put my hand in the water. Ice cold even tho it was 30 C outside. I said pick me up here in 4 hrs. They left and did their ATV thing. 25 Specks later they picked me up. What would appear to be nothing has turned into a bonanza when you bush whack a little. The stream was little more than a ft wide and 3 inches deep by the culvert. Guessing I have caught 300 Specks the last 2 yrs and have never seen any litter or other footprints in the bush up or downstream. Leg work and keep your eyes open.

Alfie.

[Knuguy]

 

Check with MNR where they may have stocked in your area. They have stocked certain streams throughout southern Ontario in an attempt to repopulate them. 

 

 

 

A very good tip indeed!

[TimShovel]

Thanks for the info guys. Its not that I have something against keeping fish, I just have never done it. Back on the whereabouts of fishing, I think I may know a spot. About 2-6 inches deep, with a rocky/gravely centre and sandy banks. About 6-8 feet wide, and dense thicket on either side. Surrounded by pine forests in all directions. I'll have to check it out soon. I'll be sure to send out a pm to everyone who helped this spring... if I find anything that is. Thanks again for all your help. 

[troutddicted]

Good chance they are closed at the moment.  Best check the regs for your area.  Have fun - brookies are my favorite because they take you deep into the woods in remote places where its only you vs. the elements.

[TimShovel]

Oh yeah, should've cleared that up, I won't be fishing them until next spring, they have been closed since Sept 30th in my region I believe.