Temp isn't just what you should be concerned about as Scott (Esshup) would tell you. There has to be a minimum of about 5 mg/l of oxygen in the suitable temps which are 55 to 65. For brook trout I would not want to go above 65 even with suitable oxygen.
Lots of ponds that are not stratified have cool enough temps in the depths but typically become low in oxygen in the summer.
If your oxygen is good in the colder water but temps are hovering around 65 or slightly above, and you have your heart set on trout, I would go with brown trout instead.
And yes trout are good predators if they are not pellet fed. I've caught trout with small bluegill and yellow perch in their bellies. They also feed on snails surprisingly. I've found Ramshorn snails in the bellies of both brook and rainbow trout. Don't recall if I've seen them in brown trout but their is strain of brown trout in Ireland called the Gillaroo, that feed predominantly on snails. It even has a thicker stomach wall than other strains to protect it from the sharp edges.
Last edited by Cecil Baird1; 08/04/14 06:54 PM.
