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Rainbow Trout/Steelhead
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| Rainbow Trout/Steelhead
©
Jeff Foott . Courtesy of eNature |
Species
description provided by eNature
Description
To 3'9" (1.1 m); 42 1/8 lbs (19.1 kg). Elongate, fusiform.
Marine coloration: metallic-blue above, silvery-white below, with
small, black spots on back, sides, and dorsal and caudal fins. Freshwater
coloration: spots more prominent, distinctive red band on sides.
Mouth white; no teeth on back of tongue. 8-12 anal fin rays; adipose
fin present, usually with black edge.
Endangered Status
Sea-run populations of the Rainbow Trout, known as Steelheads, are
on the U.S. Endangered Species List. Certain naturally spawned populations
in California and Washington are classified as endangered, and other
naturally spawned populations in California, Idaho, Oregon, and
Washington are classified as threatened. The populations of these
and other trout and salmon have been declining for years because
of habitat alteration caused by logging, diversion of water from
the streams and rivers the fish spawn in, development along those
waterways, pollution, and the building of hydroelectric dams. Removal
of trees by loggers and developers exposes the streams to sunlight,
often warming the water to lethal temperatures. Erosion from logging
roads and from cleared lands fills the water with sediment, which
can also make it uninhabitable; and runoff from rooftops, roadways,
and parking lots contains substances that can contaminate the water.
Conservation efforts have been opposed by logging, agricultural,
and development interests.
Habitat
Inshore ocean at mid-depths and near surface; spawns in freshwater
streams and rivers.
Range
From Bering Sea to S. California. In fresh water, native range confined
to lakes and streams of western states bordering Pacific Ocean from
Alaska to Baja California; introduced throughout Canada and United
States in suitable streams and lakes.
Discussion
Sea-run Rainbow Trout usually spend 2 to 4 years in their home stream
before venturing to sea, where they remain for about 3 years. They
return to their home stream in the winter to spawn, and will continue
this pattern as long as they survive natural predators. Fish that
exist solely in fresh water spawn in the spring. Most males spawn
at 1 year, while females may take 6 years to mature. Rainbow Trout
are much-sought game fish; they are rarely taken at sea by bait
anglers, but do succumb readily to trolled shrimplike flies. They
provide good eating and are raised for market through aquaculture.
There are small commercial gill-net fisheries north of Oregon for
sea-run fish.
