For many trout fisherman, Fall centers around one thing—the brown trout spawn. Big fish move, colors intensify and rivers seem to come alive with visible fish activity. It’s an exciting time to be on the water—but also a moment when trout need a little extra respect from us as anglers.
When and Where Brown Trout Spawn
Brown trout are fall spawners, usually triggered when water temperatures drop into the mid‑40s. This seasonal behavior makes them easier to spot and also more vulnerable.
Northeast & Midwest: October into November
Rocky Mountains (Colorado): Late September through November, with October as the peak brown trout spawning season
Southern Tailwaters (Arkansas, Tennessee, Georgia): November into December, especially below dams with cold tailwater flows
A few of my favorite rivers with active spawning browns include the South Platte River and Taylor River in Colorado, along with Arkansas tailwaters like the White River and Little Red River. Each fall, these waters reveal some truly incredible browns that put on a show worth witnessing.
How to Fish the Brown Trout Spawn Responsibly
Searches for “brown trout spawning season” or “when do brown trout spawn” often focus only on timing. Just as important is how we treat the fish during this critical period.
Spot and avoid redds - Clean oval patches in shallow gravel are trout nests full of eggs. Never wade through them.
Handle trout with care - Quick fights, wet hands, and fast releases protect both spawning and recovering fish.
Check fishing regulations - Many rivers have seasonal closures, catch‑and‑release rules, or gear restrictions to protect spawning brown trout.
Techniques for Catching Browns Around the Spawn
While some anglers frown upon targeting trout actively on redds, there are ethical ways to fish around the spawn. It’s important to remember the spawn doesn’t happen all at once—at any given moment some fish are on redds, others are staging to spawn, and still others have already finished.
Pre‑spawn: Twitching a Trout Magnet can be especially effective. Nothing aggravates a brown trout more than a small jig vibrating in front of its face during staging.
Post‑spawn: Fishing a D2 Jig or Trout Magnet Crank shines here. It represents high‑protein prey like minnows, sculpins, or leeches—perfect fuel for trout regaining strength after spawning.
We advise bending down your barbs during this time and in specially regulated waters where mandated. This is better for the fish and keeps them out of the water the least amount of time possible when they are most vulnerable. Recovering from the spawn and making redds can take a toll on a trout so be cautious with your catch during the fall.
Responsible Stewards of American Brown Trout
Fishing during the spawn can be magical—big brown trout, vibrant colors, and crisp fall days. It’s okay to fish, but it’s even better when we do so as responsible stewards. Respect redds, release fish gently, and remember how blessed we are with these trout fisheries across the nation.
The browns that call our American streams home are not native to these lands, much like many of us. Together we benefit from the fertile resources and freedoms that this nation affords.
How and if anglers choose to legally fish these fall waters is their choice. Let’s enjoy the camaraderie among anglers, practice responsible brown trout fishing during the spawn, and leave the river better for the next generation of anglers—and trout.
