Brook trout

Salvelinus fontinalis

Brook trout. Photo:Duane Raver, USFWS

This famous trout is native to many cool, clear, high-oxygen streams, rivers, and lakes of Quebec. This species is smaller and has a shorter lifespan than most other trout species. Brook trout exhibit a range of adaptations to its environment, which explain why this species is so widespread. For example, when streams become too warm for brook trout during the summer months, brook trout often move into lakes, which serve as a thermal refuge. Other brook trout populations are 'sea run', meaning that they leave their river habitat at times and go out to sea to feed.