Rainbow Trout

ENVIRONMENT YUKON

Yukon Fish Species

Rainbow Trout

typically trout-like body shape, rounded snout, large mouth and black spots on the back, dorsal, adipose and tail fins.
The back is bluish green to brown with white or dusky sides and under-parts. Usually a light pink to vivid red distinct lateral stripe is visible, which becomes more brilliant in spawning fish.
In lake populations with good food sources (generally stocked lakes in the Yukon) rainbows can reach 7 kg (15 lbs), though average fish weigh 0.5 to 1.5 kg (1 to 3 lbs). Native stream fish typically weigh less than 1.5 kg (3 lbs).
Their flesh ranges from pale pink to bright orange.

Adult trout feed mainly on crustaceans (freshwater shrimp), aquatic insect larvae (caddis and black fly), mollusks and the occasional small fish.
Rainbow trout spawn in spring in flowing water.
In lakes, rainbows feed in shallow water in spring, and move to deeper, cooler water in summer.
In streams and rivers, rainbows spend time in deep pools, below rapids and beneath undercut banks.

Contact Fish and Wildlife, Fisheries

Environment Yukon

Government of Yukon

Box 2703 (V-5A)
Whitehorse, Yukon
Canada Y1A 2C6

Phone: 867-667-5721
Toll free (in Yukon): 1-800-661-0408 local 5721
Fax: 867-393-6263

Email: fisheries@gov.yk.ca