Brown Trout

Brown trout fishing near Chesterton presents a unique challenge. While not a primary fishery, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources occasionally stocks brown trout in select waterways, offering a limited opportunity. To maximize your chances, consult the IDNR stocking reports to identify recent release locations. The East Branch of the Little Calumet River, like with rainbows, sometimes gets a brown trout stocking. Targeting them requires finesse. Early spring and late fall, when water temperatures are cooler, are your best bets. Try small spinners, spoons, or drifting nymphs. Stealth is crucial, as these fish can be wary. Access points along the East Branch within the Indiana Dunes National Park provide opportunities, but be prepared for some hiking. A local pro-tip: focus on areas with deeper pools and undercut banks, where browns tend to hold. Keep in mind that these are stocked fish, and the fishery is heavily reliant on stocking efforts, so practice responsible catch and release if possible to help sustain the population.