Trout & Salmon
Redband Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri
FreshwaterSalmonidaeVaries by population; some populations are considered sensitive or threatened due to habitat loss, hybridization with other trout species, and climate change.
About
Redband trout are a group of rainbow trout subspecies native to the inland rivers and streams of the Pacific Northwest. They are known for their vibrant red or orange stripe along their lateral line and their ability to thrive in harsh environments, including those with extreme temperature fluctuations.
- Average size
- 8-20 inches, 0.5-3 lbs
- Colors
- Olive-green to bluish-green back, silvery sides, red or orange lateral stripe, black spots on back and fins
- Diet
- Aquatic insects (mayflies, caddisflies, stoneflies), terrestrial insects, crustaceans, small fish
- Region
- Western United States (primarily in the inland rivers and streams of the Pacific Northwest, including parts of Oregon, Idaho, California, Nevada, and Montana)