Unfortunately, the government discontinued stocking of brook trout in Shannon, after 1995. but, that is when the lake really turned into a trophy brown trout lake! I remember on my first trip there in late oct. of 97 and having big browns follow my lure back to the boat without commiting themselves, then finally hooking a fish in the far north end that almost spooled me and then broke off!! Then catching a fat 17" spawning male brookie and an almost 7 lb. brown at dark. Talk about exciting, i was hooked for good, after that. Since then i've refined a few of my techniques and have been successful throughout the season!
Unfortunately, due to public outcry, fisheries have doubled up on their stocking to increase numbers, but have created a lot of thin underfed fish! I have caught dozens of fish since they did this and pretty much never catch anything over 6 lbs.. Mind you, not because of shortage of length, but because of shortage of girth. A typical big brown in there now tapes 23 - 25"but weighs only 4 - 5 lbs. whereas before that same fish would weigh anywhere between 6 & 8 lbs. but i guess, it is what it is, the lesser is always sacrified to the greater!
But it is exciting to know that you caught a brook in there, and the odd one still jumps out of their respective tank, and goes AWOL only to end up on some surprised and happy anglers line!
Anyone interested in getting more details on not getting the old Shannon Lake skunking, can PM me.