North Carolina State Freshwater Trout

Southern Appalachian Brook Trout

(Salvelinus fontinalis)

Adopted in 2005.

The General Assembly of 2005 named the Southern Appalachian Brook Trout as the official Freshwater Trout for the State of North Carolina (Session Laws, 2005, c. 387).

The Southern Appalachian Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) is a genetically distinct species that is North Carolina's only native freshwater trout. Sometimes known as "specks" because of their unique spotted appearance, the Brook trout is a favorite of sport fishermen in the cold mountain streams of Western North Carolina, as well as in Tennessee, Arkansas, Georgia, South Carolina, and Kentucky.

Description of North Carolina State Freshwater Trout

The average length is 10-12 inches but Brook Trout can be caught measuring up to 21 inches and weighing 4-6 pounds. The largest Brook trout on record was 14.5 pounds and caught in 1916 in the Nipigon River in Ontario. Breeding males develop a hook at the front of the lower jaw. Typical coloring is olive-green to dark brown on the back with silvery sides and pale spotting. All colors intensify at spawning time.

Distribution

The brook trout is native to northern North America and is widely distributed throughout the maritime provinces. It occurs in clear, cool, well-oxygenated streams and lakes.

Foods

Brook trout are opportunistic feeders and will eat whatever they can find. In small streams they prefer aquatic insects (nymphs) that live under the rocks and along the stream bottom. They are also known to feed heavily on the adult stage of aquatic insects as they hatch and take flight during their brief courtship and egg laying cycle. Land insects, like ants and beetles, that fall into the water are readily eaten as are small crayfish. They will eat other small fish and minnows but only when they are easy to catch.

Bioplogy

This species spawns in late summer or autumn in gravel beds in the shallows of headwaters of streams. The female digs the redd where she lays 100-5000 eggs depending on her size. They hatch 50-100 days later. The life expectancy is an average of five years. The brook trout is carnivorous and feed upon a wide range of organisms. They have been known to eat their own eggs at spawning time and even their own young.

House Bill

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2005

SESSION LAW 2005-387

HOUSE BILL 1316

AN ACT adopting the fraser fir as the official christmas tree of the state of north carolina and the southern appalachian brook trout as the official freshwater trout of north carolina.

Whereas, North Carolina has 1,500 Christmas tree growers and produces more trees than any other state except Oregon; and

Whereas, North Carolina tree growers produce over 50 million Fraser firs each year; and

Whereas, the Fraser fir constitutes more than 90% of all the Christmas trees grown in North Carolina; and

Whereas, the Fraser fir is named for John Fraser, a Scottish botanist who explored the Southern Appalachian mountains of North Carolina in the late 1700s; and

Whereas, the Fraser fir is a pyramid‑shaped tree that reaches a maximum height of 80 feet and a trunk diameter of one to one and one‑half feet; and

Whereas, the Fraser fir grows naturally only in the Southern Appalachians; and

Whereas, Fraser fir trees grown in North Carolina have won the National Christmas Tree Association's annual tree competition more than any other species; and

Whereas, North Carolina contains innumerable mountain streams and coldwater fisheries habitats; and

Whereas, these mountain streams are home to brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), which is North Carolina's only native freshwater trout species; and

Whereas, the Southern Appalachian form of brook trout is a scientifically‑recognized unique and genetically distinct form locally known as "specks" or "speckle" trout because of the numerous specks on its skin; and

Whereas, North Carolina is home to some 400 self‑sustaining populations of Southern Appalachian brook trout, more than in any other state; and

Whereas, these wild and colorful fish are important keystones of ecological diversity, indicators of outstanding water quality, and representatives of the pure and unspoiled areas that they inhabit; and

Whereas, Southern Appalachian brook trout are cooperative sport fish, and may be caught by anglers using traditional fly‑fishing equipment and locally‑adapted fly patterns, thereby supporting extensive recreational fishing opportunities, economic development, and tourism; and

Whereas, by their character and contribution, these unique fish are woven into the historical and cultural fabric of Western North Carolina; and

Whereas, the Fraser fir deserves recognition as the official Christmas tree of the State of North Carolina and the Southern Appalachian brook trout deserves recognition as the official freshwater trout of the State of North Carolina; Now, therefore,

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1. Chapter 145 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:

"§ 145‑25. State Christmas tree.

The Fraser fir (Abies fraseri) is adopted as the official Christmas tree of the State of North Carolina."

SECTION 2. Chapter 145 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:

"§ 145‑26. State freshwater trout.

The Southern Appalachian strain of brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) is adopted as the official freshwater trout of the State of North Carolina."

SECTION 3. This act is effective when it becomes law.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 23rd day of August, 2005.

s/ Beverly E. Perdue

President of the Senate

s/ James B. Black

Speaker of the House of Representatives

s/ Michael F. Easley

Governor
Approved 3:25 p.m. this 13th day of September, 2005

Taxonomic Hierarchy of Southern Appalachian Brook Trout