The brown trout was imported to America from Europe.  It is now widely distributed in lakes and streams through Wyoming and on the Big Horn Mountains.  In streams, brown trout prefer dense cover, particularly overhead cover from undercut banks and vegetation.  Brown trout are slightly more tolerant of of higher water temperatures.  The brown trout is a Fall spawner.  Like most trout, young brown trout feed on aquatic insects, crustaceans, and plankton in lakes and reservoirs.  Brown trout over 12 inches usually prefer larger food items such as small fish and crayfish.  Due to their longer life span ( up to ten years) and preference for large food items, brown trout often reach trophy sizes.  Brown trout are more nocturnal than other trout and, therefore, early morning and late evening fishing is usually more successful.  Browns are distinguished from rainbow and cutthroat by the relative lack of spots on the unformed caudal fin, by the typical presence of orange spots on the side, and by the orange border on the adipose fin.  Browns have dark spots on a lighter background versus light spots on a darker background as found in brook trout.