Species
Species: A group of related organisms having common characteristics and capable of interbreeding.
Coho Recovery
A series of postings on coho recovery efforts along California's North Coast. Get a behind-the-scenes look at how one hatchery attempts to re-build lost runs of endangered coho salmon.
Native Redband
Learn more about the unique populations of redbands inhabitating the Great Basin:
Distribution Maps
The references below depict the historic range of native trout species.
California's Native Fish Crisis
CalTrout issues a detailed status report of California native fish. Warning: Large PDF File.
Microhabitat Selection by Species
In rivers with multiple trout species, a set of complex interactions amongst each species will determine where they hold, feed, and spawn. Generally, brown trout are the most dominant in these interactions due to their innate aggression and larger size. In streams, browns tend to inhabitat the bottom in shallower areas with slower water and move cover, rainbows move higher in the water column in areas of faster water - often mid-stream - and cutthroat hold in colder water near or in smaller tributaries. These tendencies result from competitive pressures more than habitat preference given each species will inhabit the entire stream environment if not threatened.
Native Fish of the Golden Trout Wilderness
California's Golden Trout Wilderness is home to three unique forms of native trout, and you'll find descriptions for each of these trout in my new Ebook - Native Fish of the Golden Trout Wilderness.
For thousands of years, a population of rainbow trout adapted and evolved in the drainages of the Golden Trout Wilderness. Since then, three unique subspecies of rainbow trout, collectively referred to as golden trout, emerged within the upper Kern River basin. These golden trout are: California golden trout, Kern River rainbow trout, and Little Kern golden trout.
Whether your goal is completing the California Heritage Trout Challenge, or just finding some of the Southern Sierra Nevada's most scenic stretches of water to wet a line, Native Fish of the Golden Trout Wilderness will help you reach your goal.
An Adobe PDF document will be made available at the end of the purchase check-out. Select Return to the Ecological Angler to view your copy of Native Fish of the Golden Trout Wilderness.
Please allow enough time for the large PDF file to download. While downloading - do not navigate away from the location.
California Heritage Trout Challenge
Catch, photograph, and release six different forms of California native trout from their historic range and California Department of Fish and Game will send you a personalized certificate featuring the art of Joseph Tomelleri (similiar to this one).
The EcoAngler describes a number of these native trout that qualify for the challenge including:
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Lahontan cutthroat
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Paiute cutthroat
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California golden trout
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California rainbow trout
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Eagle Lake rainbow trout
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Goose Lake redband trout
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McCloud River redband trout
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Steelhead trout
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Warner Lakes redband trout
Winter Run - Steelhead
... January is best epitomized by the arrival of winter-run steelhead. From my perspective in time as a 39-year-old fisherman, January has generally marked the start of the winter steelhead season. Although a few steelhead can arrive in November, and more commony December, the more consistent time of wild steelhead entry is now January. This may not have always been the case. There is evidence that January was once the peak entry time of winter steelhead in many streams, rather than the start.
May the Rivers Never Sleep -- Bill & John McMillan
