Distribution
Brown trout are native to mainland Europe, the British Isles, Icelands, the Caspian Sea, the Black Sea, the Aral Sea, Turkey, Afganistan and the Atlas Mountains in northern Africa. Populations are found throughout New Zealand, Tasmania and in the cooler regions of Victoria and New South Wales. Self supporting stocks are also found in the south-west corner of Western Australia and the highlands of New Guinea. The limited stocks in South Australia are primarily maintained by artificial stocking.

Growth and Size
In heavily populated waters, where there is a lot of competition for food and space, young fish (especially those that have never spawned) out compete older fish. Consequently, trout in these waters gain little weight after first spawning and most fish live for just three to five years. However where there is little competition longetivity is common. The maximum life span is in the order of 20 years.

Brown trout in the Caspian sea can attain 1.4m in length and 50kg. The biggest brown trout caught on a rod and line was 30 1/2 pounds (18kg). Fish in excess of 17kg have been taken in New Zealand and the biggest officially recorded in Tasmania weighed 28 3/4lb. (~13kg).

Comments
The Brown Trout is perhaps the most respected of all freshwater sports fish. It thrives in a great diversity of habitats - oceans, esturies, rivers, small streams, coastal lagoons and alpine lakes - and has a much varied diet. Since it is more wary than other trout species and can be relatively difficult to fool, it is highly prized by skilled anglers.

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