Species

Species: A group of related organisms having common characteristics and capable of interbreeding.

 

California's Native Fish Crisis

Caltrout Issues Report on Native Fish CrisisCalTrout issues a detailed status report of California native fish. Warning: Large PDF File.

 

Distribution Maps

The references below depict the historic range of native trout species.

 

Microhabitat Selection by Species

In rivers with multiple trout species, a set of complex interactions amongst each species will determine where they hold, feed, and spawn. Generally, brown trout are the most dominant in these interactions due to their innate aggression and larger size. In streams, browns tend to inhabitat the bottom in shallower areas with slower water and move cover, rainbows move higher in the water column in areas of faster water - often mid-stream - and cutthroat hold in colder water near or in smaller tributaries. These tendencies result from competitive pressures more than habitat preference given each species will inhabit the entire stream environment if not threatened.

 

New Content - The EcoAngler Report

Researching the McCloud Redband? Get scientific based angling intel in The EcoAngler Report - McCloud Redband.

The EcoAngler Report - McCloud Redband Detailed information on it's range along with a map and directions to put you in reach of this native redband can be purchased here.

An Adobe PDF document will be made available at the end of the purchase check-out. Select Return to the Ecological Angler to view your copy of The EcoAngler Report - McCloud Redband.

Focus on Native Trout

Five unique species of trout currently reside in California. Excellent populations of the most common forms of these species can be found throughout the Sierra Nevada range. In the case of subspecies such as Lahontan cutthroat, Eagle Lake trout and the Kern River rainbow their native habitat is restricted to the Sierra Nevada.

Native cutthroats of Wyoming with paint horse photographed

California Heritage Trout Challenge

CalHeritageTrout Catch, photograph, and release six different forms of California native trout from their historic range and California Department of Fish and Game will send you a personalized certificate featuring the art of Joseph Tomelleri (similiar to this one).

The EcoAngler describes a number of these native trout that qualify for the challenge including:

Trout Range

Native trout historically occupied certain waters of California by natural means (these waters form part of the native range for each of the trout). Beside natural means, some human-caused actions such as non-native plants or dam building have influenced where native trout are found today.

Whitehorse Creek cutthroat trout