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
Head, Mouth & Eyes
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Small to moderate head & eyes
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Mouth not past the eye​: juvenile > adult
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Large hook jaw & head​: adult > older
Tail
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Large & paddle shaped​: released as fry or fingerling
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Short & square shaped: released as brood stock
Body Colour
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Pink stripe from behind the eye along the body
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Pink intensifies up to crimson before spawning season
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Silver to pale olive body colour
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Dorsal Area
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Dark olive-brown
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Spots
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Small & dark, covering the head, body, dorsal & tail
BROWN TROUT
SCIENTIFIC NAME
Salmo trutta
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CHARATERISTICS
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Head, Mouth & Eyes
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Moderate head & eyes
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Mouth not past the eye: juvenile > adult
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Large head & hook jaw: ​adult > older​
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Tail​
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Large & paddle shaped - released as fry or fingerling​
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Short & square shaped - ​released as brood stock
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Body Colour
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Tan to browny-gold
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Dorsal Area
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Dark brown to almost black​
Spots
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Dark brown along on the back & sides
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Some turn red before spawning season
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Most are surrounded by a pale halo
BROOK TROUT
SCIENTIFIC NAME
Salvelinus fontinalis​
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CHARATERISTICS
Head, Mouth & Eyes
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Moderate head & eyes
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Mouth to the eyes: juvenile > adult
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Mouth extends past eyes: adult > older
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Tail
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Large & paddle shaped - ​released as fry or fingerling
- Short & square shaped - ​released as brood stock
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Body Colour
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Silvery to olive-green
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Thicker body height than brown trout
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Spots & Fins
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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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Head, Mouth & Eyes
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Moderate to large head & eyes
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Mouth to the eyes: juvenile > adult
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Large head & hook jaw: adult > older
Tail
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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
Body Colour
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Silvery blue with a white belly
Dorsal Area​
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Dark bluey-grey
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Spots & Fins
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Small & dark along the upper sides
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Dusky grey fins