Species

Brown trout

A native trout with red spots, the key species of clear, cool streams and a classic for fly fishing.

Salmo trutta fario

Photo: Karelj, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain, adjusted to 3:2

Spawning: October to January (general guide, varies by region)
German Red List: threatened
Typical method: Fly fishing
Top bait: Dry fly

Plan a day fishing for Brown trout

How to recognise it

Red spots with a pale ring, plus black spots
Olive-brown back, white-yellow belly
Small adipose fin between the dorsal and tail fins

Easily confused with: Looks like the rainbow trout, but has red spots with a pale ring and no reddish side band.

How to catch it

Methods: Fly fishing, Lure fishing with a light rod, Float fishing

Baits: Dry fly, Wet fly, Inline spinner, Spoon

At dusk and in dull light, when it hunts more actively; good in spring and early summer during insect hatches.

Habitat and food

Fast-flowing, cool, clear and oxygen-rich streams and rivers with a gravel or sandy bed. It is very loyal to its spot and defends its own territory.

Mainly insects and their larvae, plus small fish such as the bullhead, crustaceans and snails.

Size and age

Depending on food 20 to 80 cm, usually up to 2 kg; in exceptional cases 1 m and over 15 kg. Can live up to 18 years (Wikipedia).

Protection and rules

Conservation status: German Red List (freshwater fish 2023, species Salmo trutta): threatened, in 2009 still not threatened. IUCN (Salmo trutta): not threatened (Least Concern, 2022).

Brown trout: closed season and minimum size by German state

These rules apply in Germany only. Fishing in the UK, the USA or elsewhere? The local rules apply there (link below).

Baden-Württembergminimum size 25 cm · closed season 01.10. to 28.02.minimum size 35 cm · closed season 01.10. to 28.02. only in some watersminimum size 20 cm · closed season 01.10. to 28.02. only in some waters
Bavariaminimum size 26 cm · closed season 01.10. to 15.03.
Berlinminimum size 30 cm · closed season 01.10. to 30.04.
Brandenburgminimum size 30 cm · closed season 16.10. to 15.04.
Bremenminimum size 30 cm · closed season 15.10. to 15.03. only in some waters
Hamburgminimum size 20 cm · closed season 15.10. to 15.02.
Hessekeep only from 25 to 60 cm · closed season 01.10. to 31.03.
Mecklenburg-Western Pomeraniaminimum size 30 cm · closed season 01.10. to 31.03. only in some waters
Lower Saxonyminimum size 25 cm · closed season 15.10. to 15.02.
North Rhine-Westphaliaminimum size 25 cm · closed season 20.10. to 15.03.
Rhineland-Palatinateminimum size 25 cm · closed season 15.10. to 15.03.minimum size 25 cm · closed season 01.10. to 31.03. only in some watersminimum size 25 cm · closed season 01.08. to 31.03. only in some waters
Saarlandminimum size 25 cm · closed season 01.10. to 31.03.minimum size 25 cm · closed season 01.10. to 31.03. only in some watersminimum size 25 cm · closed season 01.08. to 31.03. only in some waters
Saxonyminimum size 28 cm · closed season 01.10. to 30.04.
Saxony-Anhaltminimum size 25 cm · closed season 15.09. to 31.03. only in some waters
Schleswig-Holsteinminimum size 30 cm · closed season 01.10. to 28.02.minimum size 40 cm · closed season 01.10. to 31.12. (coast) only in some waters
Thuringiaminimum size 30 cm · closed season 01.10. to 31.03.

From the official state fisheries regulations, retrieved 2026-10-11. All rules by state

Check the rules

In Germany, closed seasons and minimum sizes are set by each state and can be stricter for single waters. All German rules by state, with the legal source. Outside Germany, the local rules apply: licence and agency by country.

In the kitchen

An excellent food fish with a delicate flavour, classically pan-fried (à la meunière) or smoked.

Sources (3)

Last checked 2026-10-18. Found a mistake? Write to [email protected].

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