Brook Trout vs Smallmouth Bass
Salvelinus fontinalis compared with Micropterus dolomieu
Taxonomy & Classification
| Attribute | Brook Trout | Smallmouth Bass |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Salvelinus fontinalis | Micropterus dolomieu |
| Order | Salmoniformes | Centrarchiformes |
| Family | Salmonidae | Centrarchidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Physical Traits
| Attribute | Brook Trout | Smallmouth Bass |
|---|---|---|
| Max Length | 86.0 cm | 69.0 cm |
| Max Weight | 6.6 kg | 5.4 kg |
| Color | Olive-green back with distinctive worm-like yellowish vermiculations; flanks dotted with red spots ringed by blue halos; lower fins are orange-red with bold black and white leading edges. | Bronze-green to golden-brown body with 13–15 irregular dark brown vertical bars or blotches on the flanks; red-orange eyes; belly pale cream; dark brown radiating lines from eye to snout. |
Habitat & Environment
| Attribute | Brook Trout | Smallmouth Bass |
|---|---|---|
| Water Type | Freshwater & Saltwater | Freshwater |
| Depth Range | 15-27m | 1-7m |
| Geographic Range | Native to cold Appalachian streams and boreal rivers of eastern Canada and the northeastern United States. Anadromous sea-run populations occur along the Atlantic coast; introduced … | Native to the St. Lawrence River and Great Lakes drainage south through the Ohio River system and upper Mississippi basin. Prefers clear, cool, rocky streams … |
| Habitat | Clear, cold mountain streams and lakes of eastern North America and the Great Lakes basin. Prefers cold, highly oxygenated water (8-18°C) over gravel and cobble. … | Clear, cool rivers and streams of eastern North America from the Great Lakes to Tennessee. Prefers rocky and gravelly substrate in moderate to fast current. … |
Fishing Information
| Attribute | Brook Trout | Smallmouth Bass |
|---|---|---|
| Game Fish | Yes | Yes |
| Fight Rating | 5/10 | 8/10 |
| World Record | — | — |
| Mercury Level | — | — |
Cuisine & Edibility
Brook Trout
Delicate, sweet flesh with a nutty, mild flavor; low fat and fine texture. One of the most prized freshwater eating fish in North America — best pan-fried simply in butter with herbs.
Smallmouth Bass
Clean, white, mildly flavored flesh with low fat; considered slightly firmer and more flavorful than largemouth bass. Excellent pan-fried or baked; a respected table fish in the Great Lakes region.
Species Overview
Brook Trout
The brook trout is actually a char, native to cold, clean streams of eastern North America. Its olive-green body with distinctive worm-like markings (vermiculations) and red spots with blue halos make it one of the most beautiful freshwater fish.
Smallmouth Bass
The smallmouth bass is widely considered the best-fighting freshwater fish pound-for-pound. Found in clear, rocky streams and lakes, it is more athletic and acrobatic than its larger cousin, the largemouth bass.