Brook Trout
The Brook Trout is a very interesting fish. This member of the trout family lives in the waters of streams and small rivers and lakes. The brook trout requires cold and clear water in which to live. After hatching from eggs the young trout grow and eventually mature into adults. As adults they reproduce in the same river they were born and grew up in. The female trout prepares a series of nests in the gravel of the stream bottom and lays hundreds of eggs. This life cycle is repeated time and again.
Brook Trout are valuable to the people of New England, because so many people enjoy the recreation provided by fishing. Also, these fishermen and fisherwomen contribute to the economy of the areas they visit and help create jobs.
In some places pollution or changes in the stream habitat have reduced the number of trout in the stream or caused them to disappear completely. Ways in which we can help restore these streams are part of the fascinating story that will be told in the coming months.