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Rainbow
Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
Likely the most sought after species of all Trout is the Rainbow. This trout is an
olive-green color with heavy black spotting over the length of the body. The adult fish
has a red-colored stripe along the lateral line, from the gills to the tail. Rainbow trout
in lakes are usually lighter colored or a more silvery color than those in streams. They
can be caught on artificial flies, spoons and small spinners.
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Brown
Trout
Salmo trutta
While not an indigenous species of the Canadian Rockies, the Brown is certainly a
"landed immigrant" if not a naturalized citizen. Brown trout are golden brown in
color with large black spots on the back, and red spots, some with pale halos, on the
sides. They are the only trout with both red and black spotting. They can be caught with
artificial flies, spoons and bait (except in waters with bait bans), such as worms.
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Cutthroat
Trout
Oncorhynchus clarki
Cutthroat trout are named for the bright red-orange streak in the fold under the mouth.
These trout are native to the mountain and foothill streams of southern Alberta. Cutthroat
prefer colder water than do the closely related rainbow trout. They spawn in the spring,
which may be as late as early July in high mountain streams. Cutthroat are usually caught
on artificial flies, small spoons and small spinners.
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All bull trout that are caught must be
released. |
Bull
Trout
Salvelinus confluentus
Also known by some as the Dolly Varden, the bull trout is a long, slim fish with a large
head in proportion to its body. The fish has an olive-green to grey back and silvery sides
which are marked with pale yellow to red spots. There are no black spots on the dorsal fin
of this trout. This species is the official provincial fish of Alberta. The spawning fish
are usually quite large (over 30 cm), and are very vulnerable to capture by bears, ospreys
and people. For this reason the Alberta Natural Resources Service has placed a zero
possession limit on this fish throughout the province.
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Mountain
Whitefish
Prosopium williamsoni
Mountain whitefish have large scales, no spots and small mouths with no teeth. The general
body color is a bronze-white or greenish white. In Alberta, this fish is often called
Rocky Mountain whitefish or (incorrectly) grayling. Mountain whitefish feed primarily on
bottom-dwelling aquatic insects, but will also feed on terrestrial insects on the surface.
They have also been known to feed on other smaller fish and on fish eggs.
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Brook
Trout
Salvelinus fontinalis
The brook trout is one of the most colorful trouts with a dark green back with pale wavy
lines. The sides have a purple sheen with blue-haloed red spots and the lower fins have a
black stripe behind a pale leading edge. Brook trout can be taken with all types of
fishing lures and baits.
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