Freshwater Trout

Members of the trout and char family are in found in cool streams and lakes of North America. Most species cannot tolerate high water temperatures, murky waters, silt or pollutants.

Some trout tend to reside in small streams all their lives while others move into larger bodies of water as they mature, returning to their home stream to spawn.

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Brook Trout by fish_fishing_seafood

Anadromous fish start life as tiny fry in freshwater streams or creeks. As they grow, they migrate out to sea where they mature. The cycle repeats itself as adult anadromous fish return to freshwater to spawn.

Rainbow trout are an excellent example of fish that sometimes adopt an anadromous lifestyle. The species occurs in both freshwater and saltwater. Sea run rainbow trout are called steelhead. They return to their original hatching ground to spawn.

Other species of trout and char such as brown trout, cutthroat, brook trout and Arctic char occasionally become anadromous.

Whirling disease is caused by a microscopic parasite that was introduced to the United States from Europe in the 1950s. In Wyoming it affects trout and is spread through movement of infested fish and water or through mud that may contain the parasitic spores.

It affects the cartilage tissue of salmonids, and symptoms of infected fish may include a blackened tail and deformity which may cause the fish to swim in a whirling manner. It ultimately results in death of the fish.

Whirling disease occurs in 23 American states. Anglers can help prevent its spread by thoroughly cleaning waders and recreational gear. To learn more, visit your state department of fish and game.