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[title size=”2″]Rainbow Trout[/title]

The rainbow trout, also popularly known as the steelhead or redband trout, is a game fish native to North America west of the Rocky Mountain range. They have been introduced all over the world for the challenge of angling them and because of their tasty meat. The rainbow trout was specifically introduced into the eastern parts of North America such as the Ozarks in the late 1800s following the Civil War. These trout are identified by their varied coloring that gives them their name. This coloring can vary widely based on region. Generally, the base color of a rainbow trout’s body is a blue or yellow green with pink or red along their sides, a white underbelly, and various black spots. They have a long torpedo shape and are members of the salmon family. Rainbow trout average 20 to 30 inches in size and weigh about 8 pounds.  However, they can grow up to 4 feet, weigh as much as 57 pounds, and live for over ten years.  Rainbow trout prefer living in cool and clear freshwater rivers, streams, and lakes. However, they can survive in the sea even though they must migrate back to their place of birth to spawn.  The rainbow trout spawn in the spring with some members of the species traveling upriver to spawn their offspring. This trout feeds on insects, crustaceans, and small fish and is a popular angling target and restaurant meal. Many popular fishing spots in the Ozarks offer rainbow trout as one of the featured fish.

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Oncorhynchus mykiss

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