Check a catch

Brook Trout (lakes and ponds) regulations in New York

· Freshwater · 2026 season

Brook Trout (lakes and ponds)
Is it a keeper? The brook trout (lakes and ponds) season is closed today. It is open April 1 – October 15.

Brook Trout (lakes and ponds) size limit, season and daily limit

WhereSeasonSize limitDaily limit
New York inland waters (statewide; regional special regs differ)April 1 – October 15No size limit5 per person per day

Exact NYSDEC wording

Season
April 1 - Oct 15
Size
None
Limit
5
Inland waters — as printed
“Brook Trout (in lakes and ponds) | April 1 - Oct 15 | None | 5”

Source: NYSDEC, captured 2026-10-04 (2026 season).

Check your brook trout (lakes and ponds) in seconds

Say it, snap a photo, or type the length. SlotGauge answers KEEP or RELEASE using today's New York rules.

Open SlotGauge for Brook Trout (lakes and ponds)

More

Winter FlounderStriped BassScupSummer FlounderBlack Sea BassOyster ToadfishTautogAmerican Eel

About the brook trout

Brook trout

Species of fish

The brook trout is a species of freshwater fish in the char genus Salvelinus of the salmon family Salmonidae native to Eastern North America in the United States and Canada. Two ecological forms of brook trout have been recognized by the US Forest Service. One ecological form is long-lived potamodromous populations in Lake Superior known as coaster trout or coasters. The second ecological form is the short-living predaceous anadromous populations which are found in northern lakes and coastal rivers from Long Island to Hudson Bay, which are referred to as salters. In parts of its range, it is also known as the eastern brook trout, speckled trout, brook char, squaretail, brookie, or mud trout, among others. Adult coaster brook trout are capable of reaching sizes over 2 feet in length and weigh up to 6.8 kg (15 lb), whereas adult salters average between 6 and 15 inches in length and weigh between 0.5 and 2.3 kg. The brook trout is characterized by its distinctive olive-green body with yellow and blue-rimmed red spots, white and black edged orange fins, and dorsal vermiculation. The diet of the brook trout is restrictive to the season and location of the fish, but will typically consist of terrestrial and aquatic insects, fry, crustaceans, zooplankton, and worms.

Read more about Brook trout on Wikipedia →

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Regulations on this page come from NYSDEC, not Wikipedia.

All 48 New York species A–Z →

Frequently asked

What is the size limit for Brook Trout (lakes and ponds) in New York?

No size limit in New York state waters.

How many Brook Trout (lakes and ponds) can you keep per day in New York?

5 per person per day.

When is Brook Trout (lakes and ponds) season in New York?

April 1 – October 15.

Is my Brook Trout (lakes and ponds) a keeper today?

The brook trout (lakes and ponds) season is closed today. It is open April 1 – October 15.