Scientific Name
Oncorhynchus mykiss
Image Credit
albertaregulations.ca
Length
20-60 centimetres (8-24 inches)
Weight
0.5-6.8 kilograms (1-15 pounds)
Similar Species
Location
- introduced into the Great Lakes from the Pacific Coast
- widely distributed in the Great Lakes and their tributaries, and in some inland lakes
Description
- silver body with many small dark spots
- radiating rows of spots over tail
- mouth and gums often white
- pink lateral stripe often present
- leading anal fin ray extends the length of the fin
- long, stocky caudal peduncle (where body joins the tail)
- Great Lakes variety is larger
- inland lakes variety has a more prominent pink stripe
Habitat
- cold streams, some warm streams
- swift, turbulent water
- can live in a range of conditions in rivers, ponds and lakes
Angling Tips
- popular for its fighting ability, dash and beauty
- found in spring in warmer, near-shore areas like river and harbour mouths, off sandy and gravelly windward shorelines
- descend to cooler depths in the summer
- will rise to a dry fly, floated downstream with the current
- take a range of spinners and plugs, salmon egg baits and yarn flies
- in the Great Lakes, try trolling spoons and minnow-imitating plugs
Common Bait
- spoons, spinners, plugs
- worms, flies, roe