TROUT IDENTIFICATION
NOT SURE WHICH SPECIES OF TROUT YOU'VE CAUGHT? HERE'S HOW TO IDENTIFY EACH TROUT... OR AN ATLANTIC SALMON
RAINBOW TROUT
SCIENTIFIC NAME
Oncorhynchus mykiss
CHARATERISTICS
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Pink stripe from behind the eye along the body
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Leading into spawning season this pink intensifies up to crimson
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Moderate head & eyes
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Small to moderate mouth to below the eyes - juvenile > adult
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Large hook jaw & head - adult > older
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Tail is large & paddle shape - released as fry or fingerling
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Tail is short & square shaped - released as brood stock
- Silver to pale olive-brownish body colour
- Dark dorsal area
- Small spots covering the head, body, dorsal & tail
BROWN TROUT
SCIENTIFIC NAME
Salmo trutta
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CHARATERISTICS
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Moderate head & eyes
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Moderate mouth to below the eyes - juvenile > adult
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Large head, mouth & hook jaw - adult > older
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Tail is large & paddle shape - released as fry or fingerling
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Tail is short & square shaped - released as brood stock
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Generally tan to browny-gold body colour
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Dark brown to almost black along the dorsal area
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Dark brown spots along the back & sides
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Some spots are red leading into spawning season
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Most spots are surrounded by a pale halo
BROOK TROUT
SCIENTIFIC NAME
Salvelinus fontinalis​
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CHARATERISTICS
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Moderate to large head
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Moderate mouth to the eyes - juvenile > adult
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Large mouth extending beyond the eye - adult > older
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Tail is large & paddle shape - released as fry or fingerling
- Tail is short & square shaped - released as brood stock
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Silvery to olive-green body colour
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Thicker body height than brown trout
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Pale spots
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Dark grey pelvic, pectoral & anal fins with white anterior margin
ATLANTIC SALMON
SCIENTIFIC NAME
Salmo salar
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CHARATERISTICS
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Moderate to large head & eyes
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Small to moderate mouth not past the eye - juvenile > adult
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Large hook jaw & head - adult > older
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Tail has a moderate fork - released as fry or fingerling
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Tail is short & square shaped - released as brood stock
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Silvery body with blue to dark grey dorsal area
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White belly
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Dark spots usually confined to the upper sides
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Dusky grey fins