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Trout spawning: when it begins and ends. Trout spawning is one of the most spectacular and important events in the life of this beautiful salmon. In clear, cold water, you can watch the females carefully prepare their nests, spawn, and the males fertilize them. It all happens quickly, but leaves a powerful impression. Trout, like other salmon, return to the very place where they were born to spawn, traveling tens and hundreds of kilometers upstream. This journey is part of natural selection: only the strongest and most resilient individuals reach their destination.
Spawning timing varies greatly depending on the region, water temperature, and the specific subspecies. The colder the climate and the further north the body of water, the earlier spawning begins.
When does trout spawning begin in different regions of Russia?
Southern part of the country
In the Caucasus , Sevan trout inhabits mountain rivers and Lake Sevan. Crimean trout migrate from the Black Sea to the upper reaches of rivers and freshwater reservoirs. The first specimens begin reaching their spawning grounds as early as late August or early September. In warm southern rivers, spawning can begin as early as August and continue until November.
Central and Northwest
Both brook trout and brown trout inhabit the Leningrad Region, Karelia, and Lake Ladoga and Lake Onega. Preparation for spawning begins in late September or early October. Spawning itself usually occurs between October and November, sometimes extending until early December.
Rainbow trout (mikizha), introduced from the Pacific Ocean basin, also begin spawning in the wild in the central part of the country around the same time—from late October. In the Moscow region and further south, due to the milder climate, the migration may shift to November or early December.
Northern Russia
In the Murmansk Region, the Kola Peninsula, the rivers of the Krasnoyarsk Territory, and other northern regions, spawning begins very early—as early as the last ten days of August. Brown trout enter their spawning grounds a little later—from early October—but peak spawning occurs in October and November. In particularly cold years, spawning can continue until December.
Trans-Urals and Siberia
In the Kurgan region and other regions of the Trans-Urals, trout is primarily farmed. Spawning seasons are determined artificially, depending on weather conditions and technological capabilities. In natural Siberian waters, spawning occurs during the cold season, most often from September to November.
On the Putorana Plateau, trout (primarily lake-river trout and brown trout) spawn in extremely cold conditions. Thanks to the icy water and pristine mountain tributaries, spawning begins early—as early as late August or September—and in some lakes and rivers (Lama, Keta, Sobachye, Ayan, Yerachimo, and others) can continue until November or December. The harsh climate of the Putorana Plateau makes spawning particularly late and protracted compared to regions further south.
When does trout spawning end?
Spawning typically lasts 3–6 weeks, sometimes up to 1.5 months. This depends on the herd size, water temperature, and weather conditions.
If the weather suddenly warms, the water level rises, or a strong wind stirs up silt and sand from the bottom, the fish stop spawning and move to deeper waters. On average, this process lasts about a month.
Features of spawning
Lake trout are the least studied species. They inhabit great depths (up to 100 meters) and descend to the very bottom to spawn. Even ichthyologists lack a complete description of their reproduction.
Before spawning, brook and migratory trout gather in schools and begin a powerful upriver migration. The fish ford rapids up to 1.5 meters high, leaping high out of the water. Only the strongest specimens reach their spawning grounds.
The female selects a site with suitable soil—small pebbles or clean, silt-free sand. Using her tail and fins, she digs a depression (the nest). The water above becomes turbid from the disturbed soil. Males stand guard nearby, sometimes interfering with the nest construction by driving away competitors.
The spawning of eggs and milt occurs almost simultaneously. The female ensures that weak individuals and young do not approach the nest. The process takes only a few minutes. After fertilization, the female covers the clutch with soil and immediately searches for a new location for the next batch of eggs. A single female can lay eggs in several batches.
Rainbow trout ( mikizha )
Rainbow trout reach a length of up to 1 m and a weight of 1.5–8 kg in the wild. They live for 6–11 years. Their coloration varies depending on conditions: silvery with a dark back in juveniles, olive or brown in adults. Before spawning, their scales darken, and scars appear on the gills—these can be used to determine how many times the fish has spawned.
Sexual maturity occurs at 3-4 years. The eggs are large (4-6 mm), pink, and non-sticky. Clutch sizes range from 500 to 10,000. Spawning occurs in shallow, slow-moving water, 24 hours a day. If the eggs are not buried immediately, they are carried away by the current. The fry hatch in 5-7 weeks.
Brook and sea trout
Sizes range from 30 cm to 90 cm, weighing 1–6 kg. Coloration varies greatly: olive, green, and brown sides with red, yellow, and white spots. After spawning, the scales darken, and the spots fade with good feeding.
Spawning is prolonged—from October to March, depending on the region. Brown trout continue to feed even during spawning. They prefer areas with strong currents. The eggs are sticky and adhere immediately to pebbles. The fry hatch after 2–3 months and are immediately carried away by the current from the nest—this protects them from predators. The young remain in place for up to 2 years, then begin to migrate.
Trout spawning in artificial reservoirs
In trout farms, fish cannot spawn on their own—they need to migrate to mature their eggs. Therefore, eggs are produced artificially.
Fish farmers breed both brown trout and rainbow trout. Brown trout eggs are incubated in the fall, while rainbow trout eggs are incubated in the spring. In the southern regions, spawning occurs from December to March, while in the northern and central regions, it occurs from March to May. The optimal temperature is 7–8°C.
Large, active individuals weighing 400–500 g with bright coloring and clean gills are selected. The female-to-male ratio is 1:2. After the eggs have matured, the fish are calmed, the eggs and milt are removed, and mixed in a vat with a small amount of water. Large farms use a "wet" method and stimulants.
In sea cages in the Black Sea, conditions are created for year-round spawning, alternating between fresh and salt water. This accelerates metabolism, improves immunity, and enhances productivity.
Conclusion
Trout spawning is a key stage in the life of this valuable fish. In the wild, it occurs during the cold season and requires clean water, a pebble bottom, and a strong current. On the Putorana Plateau, trout spawn in ideal conditions: icy, oxygen-rich water, pristine tributaries and lakes (Lama, Keta, Sobachye, Ayan, Yerachimo, and others), and the absence of significant anthropogenic impact. It is here that healthy populations of brook and lake trout are maintained, and spawning occurs in its most natural form—from late August to November or December.
During the spawning season, trout fishing is prohibited almost everywhere—this is a time for the protection and restoration of the population.
