
Also known as:
Rainbows
steelhead trout
redband trout
silver trout
Common Group Name:
Salmonids
Family Name:
Salmonidae
Genus Name:
Oncorhynchus
Species Name:
Oncorhynchus mykiss
Dispatch Method:
The eating qualities of rainbow trout can be greatly improved if they are killed humanely by iki jime or a firm knock to the head before being placed in an ice slurry after bleeding.
Fish Description:
- Colouration of rainbow trout can vary with habitat, fish size, and sexual condition, but the characteristic broad pink/red stripe from head to tail is usually present.
- Stream residents and spawners tend to be darker in colour, while lake residents are often lighter.
Fish Distribution:
- This species is native to North America, where it inhabits temperate lakes and streams with gravel bottoms in cool (5°-20°C), well oxygenated water.
- Rainbow trout have been introduced into a large number of countries worldwide, including Australia and New Zealand.
- In Australia rainbow trout have been introduced into many cooler freshwater rivers and impoundments from northern NSW to Victoria, Tasmania, SA and South west WA.
Fish Size Common Length:
25-60 cm (10-24 inches), maximum size around 120 cm (48 inches) and 25 kg (55 pounds). World record 21.77 kg (48 pounds) from Lake Diefenbaker, Canada.