Rainbow Trout

Body usually olive to greenish-blue on the back; belly white to silver; and sides usually show prominent red or pink streak. Fish from lakes sometimes lose all color and appear silvery. Irregular spots on back, sides, head, dorsal fin and tail. Most have black spots above the lateral line, and resident rainbows have more intense spotting well below the lateral line. No teeth on back of tongue.

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Oncorhynchus mykiss
CLASSIFICATION: Fish
LIFE SPAN: 7-11 Years
SIZE: 20-31” | 2-16lbs
STATE CONSERVATION STATUS: Unprotected
FEDERAL CONSERVATION STATUS: Least Concern
GAME STATUS: Game

Washoe
Humboldt
Pershing
Churchill
Mineral
Lyon
Douglas
Carson City
Storey

Elko
Lander
Eureka
White Pine

Esmeralda
Nye
Lincoln
Clark

Habitat & Range

Native to Northern California, the Pacific Northwest, western Canada, and Alaska. The species is stocked extensively from hatcheries throughout Nevada. Nevada’s most abundant game fish occurring in 295 streams, rivers, lakes and reservoirs statewide.

Threats

Disease
Habitat Loss
Predation

Natural History

A coldwater fish, Rainbow Trout have been associated with clear, healthy streams and lakes across North America. One of the top 5 sport fish in North America, Rainbow Trout are opportunistic feeders and will eat aquatic and terrestrial insects, fish eggs, smaller fish, crustaceans and worms.