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Brown trout

Brown trout — Salmo trutta

Brown trout occurs from the Swedish coast to the mountains. Some fish remain in streams for life while others migrate to lakes or the sea before returning to spawn.

How does brown trout live in Sweden, and what is the difference between stream, lake and sea trout?

Brown trout (Salmo trutta) occurs throughout Sweden. All trout are born in running water, but some remain there while others migrate to lakes or the sea to grow before returning to spawn. Swedish terms equivalent to stream trout, lake trout and sea trout describe different life histories of the same species.

Photographer Ron de Deugd

Source: Havs- och vattenmyndigheten: Öring – arter och livsmiljöer · Last verified: 8 September 2026

Lokala bestånd och fiskeregler varierar. Guiden beskriver artens generella biologi och ska inte användas som aktuell regelkälla.

From the coast to the mountains

The Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management describes brown trout as occurring throughout Sweden, from coastal areas to the mountains. It is also found in coastal waters from Haparanda in the north to Strömstad on the west coast.

Every trout starts in running water

Brown trout is born in running water. Some remain in their home stream, while others migrate to a lake or the sea to grow before returning to running water to reproduce.

Stream, lake and sea trout are the same species

These names describe different habitats and migration strategies rather than separate species. They all belong to Salmo trutta.

Autumn spawning

Brown trout normally spawns in autumn in running water. Eggs are deposited in gravel and stone in well-flowing sections and hatch the following spring.

Fishing rules vary

Rules for trout differ between marine areas, large lakes and local waters. Always check current size limits, closed seasons, catch restrictions and local rules before fishing.

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