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LakeJindabyne_9
TROUT IDENTIFICATION

Not sure which type of Trout you've caught? Here's how to identify each Trout species... or an Atlantic Salmon

RAINBOW TROUT

SCIENTIFIC NAME

Oncorhynchus mykiss

 

CHARATERISTICS

 

Head, Mouth & Eyes

  • Small to moderate head & eyes

  • Mouth not past the eye​: juvenile > adult

  • Large hook jaw & head​: adult > older

 

Tail

  • Large & paddle shaped​: released as fry or fingerling

  • Short & square shaped: released as brood stock

 

Body Colour

  • Pink stripe from behind the eye along the body

  • Pink intensifies up to crimson before spawning season

  • Silver to pale olive body colour

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Dorsal Area

  • Dark olive-brown

​

Spots

  • Small & dark, covering the head, body, dorsal & tail

BROWN TROUT

SCIENTIFIC NAME

Salmo trutta

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CHARATERISTICS

​

Head, Mouth & Eyes

  • Moderate head & eyes

  • Mouth not past the eye: juvenile > adult

  • Large head & hook jaw: ​adult > older​

​

Tail​

  • Large & paddle shaped - released as fry or fingerling​

  • Short & square shaped - ​released as brood stock

​

Body Colour

  • Tan to browny-gold

​

Dorsal Area

  • Dark brown to almost black​

 

Spots

  • Dark brown along on the back & sides

  • Some turn red before spawning season

  • Most are surrounded by a pale halo

BROOK TROUT

SCIENTIFIC NAME

Salvelinus fontinalis​

​​

CHARATERISTICS

 

Head, Mouth & Eyes

  • Moderate head & eyes

  • Mouth to the eyes: juvenile > adult

  • Mouth extends past eyes: adult > older

​

Tail

  • Large & paddle shaped - ​released as fry or fingerling

  • Short & square shaped - ​released as brood stock

​

Body Colour

  • Silvery to olive-green

  • Thicker body height than brown trout

​

Spots & Fins

  • Pale spots

  • 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

  • Moderate to large head & eyes

  • Mouth to the eyes: juvenile > adult

  • Large head & hook jaw: adult > older

 

Tail

  • Tail has a moderate fork - released as fry or fingerling

  • Tail is short & square shaped - ​released as brood stock

 

Body Colour

  • Silvery blue with a white belly

 

Dorsal Area​

  • Dark bluey-grey

​

Spots & Fins

  • Small & dark along the upper sides

  • Dusky grey fins

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