Brook Trout or, Brown Trout? - Help with identification.

Very true. However there are brook trout out west in cutthroat habitat. They are considered in invasive species.

 

Sorry for my late reading and response to the OP - I'm a newbie here. Just wanted to add... that there is a non-native char in Michigan (sorry if missed it in the tread): the Splake - a Brook Trout/Lake Trout hybrid. I was catching them periodically over a couple of seasons about... oh, 15-20 years ago in some of the UP streams that feed to L Michigan (including a 17 incher!). Rumor was the DNR was experimenting with them, planting in the lake but they we're migrating to inland rivers. Not sure if that's true. Anyway, they look VERY similar to a Brook - only slightly paler, but the tell-tale - or should I say "tell-tail" give away is the forked tail of the Lake Trout. They were interesting to catch, but I have to say that I was really disappointed that that 17 incher was not a Brookie.

 

There are several places in the UP where you can catch brookies that are over 18 inches if you put in the years to find them.

 

I would add that such places exist in the LP as well if you’re willing to bushwhack and take a very stealthy approach. I’ve caught bigger fish downstate than up recently and I’ve fished deep in the woods in both the upper and lower. I think the land and water has healed a little from years past.

 

Stealth is key, easiest way to be stealthy is fish at night.

 

Not when I am stumbling around in the dark woods.

 

Not your just normal joe he is a professional...huh?