Scientific name:
Oncorhynchus Mykiss
Identification:
Rainbow trout from Lake Michigan have an elongated and slightly compressed body, a squared tail covered with spots, 12 or less rays in the anal fin, and the inside of the mouth is wide. There are generally small spots on the top of the head and back above the lateral line, including the dorsal and adipose fins. Body color is variable, with the back being darker, ranging from steel-blue to green to almost brown; the cheek and sides are silvery, occasionally with a pink to red lateral stripe; and the bottom or belly is silvery white.
Distribution:
Native to the Pacific coast of North America from northern Mexico north to the Bering Sea and inland to the Rocky Mountains. Since the late 1800’s, they have been introduced across North America. Other locations where populations have been established include New Zealand, Australia, South America, Africa, southern Asia, Japan, and Europe. In the Wisconsin waters of Lake Michigan, rainbow trout are common along the entire shore from Marinette to Kenosha.
Spawning:
The general life cycle of this species requires a stream for spawning and early development, and a sea or large lake for maturation. Spawning occurs in the spring, and the rainbow parr generally spend the next 2 years of their lives in the parent stream, and then migrate to a large body of water. Here, 2 or more years are spent in maturation, followed by migration up the parent stream to spawn.
Angling: