Golden Trout
(Oncorhynchus aguabonita)

The Golden Trout in the province I am from Alberta, Canada, were introduced in 1959. The areas in which they were introduced were in some high mountain lakes in the southwestern corner of our of our province. The Goldies is a native to a few high mountain lake and streams in the upper elevations of the Sierra Mountains.

APPEARANCE

The Golden Trout me is where God got real friendly with the paint brush. Starting from the top of this trout, it is a light olive green that gives way to yellow on the sides, with a red band that starts at the gills and runs the length of the trout to the tail, along the lateral line. Dark spots are mainly above the lateral line except near the tail where they are found throughout.

PREY

Aquatic insects are the main prey of choice for the Goldies. But at certain times of year other insects above and below the water will be taken by this trout, Goldies are not big fans of Zooplankton.

PREDATORS

At their elevation these trout have a hand full of predators that include; bears, osprey, eagles and the odd wolf or two.

HABITAT

Goldies do not do that well at lower elevations, weather it be a high mountain lakes or streams. An altitude of 5000 feet or higher is ideal for this trout.

SPAWNING

Due to the elevation that the Goldie lives at they spawn in the early summer when the ice comes off the lakes. The female digs a redd near the inlet, or outlet of a stream in a lake. The young or “Fry” emerge in September. During the spawn this trout has its colors really intensify to make it a really attractive trout.

If you are curious of other members of the Trout family, please click one of the following below!

Arctic Grayling | Brook Trout | Brown Trout | Bull Trout |
Cutthroat Trout | Dolly Varden Trout | Lake Trout | Rainbow Trout |

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