How to Identify Trout Redds

Brook and brown trout spawn in the fall, laying their eggs in shallow, gravel-bottomed areas of streams in spawning beds called redds. Redds contain fragile trout eggs, which are susceptible to damage from foot traffic. Wading directly on them can crush or dislodge the eggs, leading to poor hatching success which can reduce future trout populations. Wading on or near redds can also stir up sediment, which can smother the eggs.

Anglers should avoid fishing to adult fish on redds as well. Pulling spawning fish off of redds allows other fish to prey on the exposed eggs. Spawning is also a stressful time for trout, so adding to that by hooking and fighting them at this time can lead to mortality.

Redds are visually identifiable. Look for depressions of clean pea- to kiwi-sized gravel that might or might not have spawning fish on them. Avoid wading through these even after the fish have left since the eggs won't hatch until spring.

Here's a little more information about the brown trout spawn from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission's website:

Brown trout spawn in the fall, a little later than brook trout, when water temperatures are in the mid-40s to high 40s. Eggs are deposited in a stream gravel depression that the female prepares with swimming actions of her fins and body. Large females produce 4,000 to 12,000 eggs. Several males may accompany the female during spawning. The eggs hatch the following spring, with no parental attention. Their life span in the wild can be 10 to 12 years.

In many regions, disturbing trout redds is illegal. Conservation regulations often protect spawning fish and their habitats.

If you're fishing in the fall, please be careful where you walk, and don't harass fish on active redds. These trout are busy creating our future fishing opportunities. Let them spawn in peace.

For more information, check out this great Orvis News article on tips to identify spawning behavior. 

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