Friday July 24, 2009
We often think of non-native predators as warm water species like black bass and catfish, but many introduced coldwater species can also be significant predators. This brown trout (Salmo trutta) was caught during a recent fisheries survey in a Sierra lake. Though large, (30 inches, 13 lbs 12 oz) it is nowhere near the California state record (26 lbs 8 oz) taken in Mono county in 1987. Brown trout are heavy bodied with a large mouth extending beyond the rear margin of the eye. They have black spots on the head, operculum, sides, tail, and dorsal and adipose fins.
Brown trout were introduced into California in 1893, and due to extensive stocking and suitable habitat they have become well established throughout California.