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Rainbow, Steelhead, Brown, Cutthroat, Brook & Lake
Trout
Trout is the common name of a species of freshwater fish
scientifically classified as Salmoninae salmoninae. Trout
are in the same genera as the Salmon, but Salmon spend most
of their lives at sea whereas most Trout live all their
lives in cold freshwater streams. "Steelheads," the
oceangoing version of "Rainbow Trout" are a notable and
well-known exception to this rule. See our
Stuffed Salmon page.
There are many other genera of fish that are called Trout,
and most have a long tradition of being eaten by humans. A
web search for Trout will find much information about
fishing for Trout. This is especially true of the five
primary types in North America: Rainbow, Brook, Brown,
Cutthroat and Lake Trout.
Below is a short introduction to the favorite five here in
the USA:
Rainbow Trout or Steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
The Rainbow Trout is so called for its attractive,
iridescent six to nine inch long body. Its red flesh is
prized for food and tastes similar to Salmon. Native to the
Pacific Ocean and countries of North America and Asia,
Rainbow Trout have been introduced for food or sport fishing
in at least forty-five countries. They are now found every
continent except Antarctica, feeding on insects and smaller
fish.
Cutthroat Trout (Salmo clarki)
Cutthroat Trout are found in the Pacific Northwest, living
in the cool mountain streams that drain from the Rocky
Mountains to the Pacific Ocean. Cutthroat Trout range in
color through green, gray and golden and sport distinctive
red, pink or orange marks on the undersides of the jaw.
Color depends on geographical subspecies. They feed on small
invertebrates such as worms and crustaceans, insects, and
minnows, and are a favorite game fish of anglers, especially
fly fishermen. The oceangoing groups can grow to weigh up to
twenty pounds (nine kilograms) and the freshwater
populations seldom weigh more than two pounds (one
kilogram).
Brook Trout Salvelinus fontinalis
Brook trout are also called Speckled Trout or Squaretail.
The common name Speckled Trout speaks to the marbled pattern
they bear on their green to brown bodies. The lower fins and
belly are red, especially in males during the spawning
season. Along the sides there are red dots with blue haloes.
The longest recorded length for a Brook Trout was thirty-
three inches (eighty-six centimeters) and the maximum weight
was fourteen pounds (nine kilograms).
Brook Trout are a traditional game fish, especially for fly
anglers, and they can be found in small, cold, clean
streams, lakes, and sometimes ponds all over eastern North
America. They require water that is below sixty-eight
degrees Fahrenheit (twenty Celsius) and prefer gravel
bottomed streams in shady forest areas.
Brown Trout and Sea Trout (Salmo trutta)
The Brown Trout is also found in Europe and Asia. in North
America they are often found in waters that have been
rendered too warm for Brook Trout by the encroachment of
civilization or forestry. Brown Trout are freshwater fish.
The Sea Trout is essentially the same species but lives in
the sea and returns to land to spawn as does the Steelhead.
Brown Trout are normally caught at about two pounds but have
been known to reach up to forty-four pounds (twenty
kilograms). Adult Brown Trout have a color ranging from a
brassy brown top to a white belly, and sport the red spots
with haloes often seen on other trout species. Sea Trout
grow much larger and live longer.
Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush)
Lake Trout are the largest of the Trout family. They live in
the deep, cold lakes of the northern United States and
Canada, and are often called Great Lakes Trout or Salmon
Trout. It is a prized food and game fish. Lake Trout are
sometimes hybridized with Brook Trout (the offspring is
sterile) and seeded in lakes to provide more sport fishing
for anglers.
Born for the Big Stage .....
Plush Stuffed Trout
An Amusing and Delightful Stuffed toy Animal
Plush Stuffed Trout Two sizes available
These Terrific stuffed Trout will make
an excellent gift for any fisher person.....
for children, or for any person who just likes fish.
Here's the catch of the day!
Stuffed Plush Trout
select the Stuffed Ark streamer:
Plush Salmon get them at the Stuffed Ark insignia above
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