Trout live in a variety of habitats, ranging from small mountain streams to the enormous Great Lakes. They require cool, clean water to survive and are often the first species to disappear from polluted waters. Similar to salmon, trout are fairly primitive fish, with small scales and soft-rayed fins. Their lower (ventral or pelvic) fins are set well back on the body and a small lobe-shaped fin (the adipose) sits behind the single dorsal (back) fin.

 

Trout are highly variable in color. In streams, they have spots or wavy lines over backgrounds ranging from dark olive to light brown. Trout also vary a great deal in size. While two pounds would be large for a stream brook trout, 15 pounds is not uncommon for a Great Lakes steelhead.

 

 

Brook Trout

 

The brook (Salvelinus fontinalis) or speckled trout is New York's official State fish. A native of the State, it is the smallest, and to many people, the most attractive trout occurring in the State. It has a dark olive green background with light wavy markings on the back, and tan or red spots on the sides. Its lower fins are striking, with bright white edging separated from the mostly red fin by a black line.

 

Once widespread throughout the state, brook trout were found in remote wilderness

settings in the Adirondacks and in small streams on Long Island. Over the years, many

populations have been lost due to habitat destruction and introduction of competing

fish species. DEC and Cornell University scientists have identified strains of brook trout

that have not been genetically altered by interbreeding with hatchery-reared fish. These

rare, or heritage, strains are a priceless link to New York State's original fauna and DEC

is working to preserve them.

 

Brook trout generally live in small- to moderate-sized streams, lakes, and ponds,

wherever cool (below 72 degrees Fahrenheit), clean water is available. They are

relatively short lived, seldom living longer than five years. Although some brook trout can weight more than eight pounds, fish weighing more than two pounds are uncommon.

 

Brown Trout

 

The brown trout (Salmo trutta) has long been a popular game fish all over the world. Brought over from Europe in the 1880s, brown trout can be found in waters all across New York State. Its ability to tolerate warmer water than either of New York State's native trout has allowed this species to do well in waters otherwise not able to support trout.

 

Brown trout are primarily found in streams, but also live in ponds and lakes. As the name

implies, brown trout are brown in color with black and often red spots on the sides.

However, in large bodies of water, fish tend to be silvery with scattered black spots.

 

Brown trout are generally faster growing and longer lived than brook trout. Fish more

than ten pounds are fairly common, but in streams they seldom grow larger than two

pounds. Many anglers enjoy fishing for brown trout because they are relatively wary and

a challenge to catch. Brown trout can withstand heavy fishing pressure better than other

New York trout.

 

Rainbow Trout

 

Natives of the Pacific Coast, rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were introduced into New York waters in the 1870s. Like brown trout, rainbows are more tolerant of warm water than the native trout and are found throughout the State.

 

In New York, there are two types of rainbows. The first, simply called rainbow, is found

mostly in medium to large streams or small to medium size lakes. The second, called

steelhead, is only found in lakes Champlain, Ontario and Erie and their tributaries. This

anadromous (spawn in streams but live most of life at sea) fish uses these large lakes as

their sea.

 

Rainbow trout are often very colorful fish. They have gray-blue to greenish backs and light

colored sides with dark spots. Rainbows get their name from the pink or red band often

present on their sides. During spawning, this band turns a deep red. Like other trout,

adult rainbows tend to be more silvery when living in large lakes like the Great Lakes.

 

Quite variable in size, mature rainbow trout may weigh one or two pounds in streams and

more than 15 pounds in the Great Lakes. Whether the fish is small or large, fishing for

rainbow trout is a popular pastime for many New York anglers. Not quite as wary as brown trout, rainbows often put up spectacular fights when hooked, frequently making a series of acrobatic jumps. - DEC