Distribution:
Northern U.S.
Origin:
Western U.S.
Characteristics:
Speckled with small black spots on sides, back, and tail fin which
is slightly forked. Sides also have a broad pinkish or red stripe.
Impacts:
Hybridize with native species, decreasing genetic diversity, compete
with native species
Management:
Nothing is being done to control them, they are stocked as a sport
fish
Stocking of hatchery Rainbow trout in rivers has led to introduction
of whirling disease into open waters in approximately 20 states including,
most recently, the Madison River and its tributaries in Montana. In the
Madison River, the disease has reduced the rainbow trout population by
90%. Rainbow trout have the potential to consume native fishes and compete
with native salmonids.
For More Information on Rainbow
trout:
University
of Wisconsin Sea Grant Institute