Professional Anglers Association

Rainbow Trout Details - Salmon gairdneri

Characteristics Rainbow trout are native of northern Mexico to southern Alaska west of the Rockies. Rainbow trout prefer clear, cool, high quality water. Sometimes trout migrate to the ocean where they spend several years of their life. Rainbow trout have long been known for the spectacular leaps and runs they make when caught by the sport fisherman in swift, cool, white-water rivers. These fish always put up a good fight during the catch.

General description: Rainbow trout possess the well-known streamlined salmonid form, though body shape and coloration vary widely and reflect habitat, age, sex, and degree of maturity. The body shape may range from slender to thick. The back may shade from blue-green to olive. There is a reddish-pink band along each side about the midline that may range from faint to radiant. The lower sides are usually silver, fading to pure white beneath. Small black spots are present over the back above the lateral line, as well as on the upper fins and tail. In some locations, the black spots of adults may extend well below the lateral line and even cover the entire lower side. Rainbow trout are positively identified by the 8 to 12 rays in the anal fin, a mouth that does not extend past the back of the eye, and the lack of teeth at the base of the tongue. River or stream residents normally display the most intense pink stripe coloration and heaviest spotting followed by rainbows from lake and lake-stream systems. Spawning trout are characterized by generally darker coloration.

Rainbow Trout

Rainbow trout are easily identified by the broad reddish band or “rainbow” which runs along their side from head to tail. The reddish band blends into a dark olive green on the back and pure white or silver on the belly. The back, dorsal fin and tail are generously sprinkled with black spots. The brightness of color varies with where the rainbow trout lives and what it eats.