There is nothing quite like the sight of a trout jumping and flashing its colors in a Sierra Nevada stream, river, or lake.  It is truly one of the delights of the range.  This exhibit examines some of the trout species found in the Sierra.

BROWN TROUT (Salmo trutta)

Usually under14" long.
Dorsal fin with black spots;
a few red or brown spots on sides;
back with brown spots;
ground color above yellowish or greenish-brown,
undersides silvery.
Found in lakes and streams primarily

GOLDEN TROUT (Salmo aquabonita)

Usually under 14" long.
The most beautiful trout of the Sierra;
golden-yellow in color.
Marked with brilliant red, including scarlet stripe on side;
olive color on the back;
has a thick, rosy, lateral band, marked with dark blotches;
lower fins red; scales small.
In lakes, usually in the highest altitudes. 
California’s State Fish.

RAINBOW TROUT and STEELHEAD (Salmo gairdnerii)

Generally under 20" long.
Olive-green on back;
rose band along middle of sides;
dark spots on light background;
dorsal fin black spotted.
Though they look very similar, the steelhead is partly a salt water fish, while the rainbow stays in fresh water.
Belly silvery.
Found in streams, rivers, and lakes.

CUTTHROAT TROUT (Salmo clarkii)

Ordinarily 1-15" long.
Back is bluish;
sides and belly silvery;
a red or pink streak on each side of lower jaw;
dorsal rays number 9-11, generally 10;
dorsal and caudal fins covered with many dark spots, as is most of the body.

EASTERN BROOK TROUT (Salvelinus frontinalis)

Normally 7-12";
back mottled with olive and black;
front edges of lower fins white;
scales very tiny;
light spots on dark background;
usually red spots on sides.
Found mainly in streams.

LAKE TROUT (Salvelinus namaycush)

May reach length of 3 feet and weigh over 80 pounds.
A variable light gray to almost black color,
stippled with numerous light spots;
tail fin deeply forked;
belly silvery, but sometimes lightly spotted.
Found in lakes, especially Lake Tahoe.

 

Credits

Credits:  Lake Trout (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration); Eastern Brook Trout (UCNRS Sagehen Research Center); Cutthroat Trout (U.S. Forest Service); Rainbow Trout (National Geographic Society); Golden Trout (Frederick Taugwalder, Oregon State University).