Trout
Trout are a common name for several species of freshwater and sometimes sea-migrating fishes in the salmon family, Salmonidae.
Trout is a common name for several species of freshwater and sometimes sea-migrating fishes in the family Salmonidae. They are closely related to salmon and are widely valued as sport and food fish. The name is used for species in several genera, including Salmo, Oncorhynchus, and Salvelinus.
Classification
Trout are salmonid fishes in the order Salmoniformes. The common name is applied to species in the genera Salmo, Oncorhynchus, and Salvelinus.
Habitat and life cycle
Most trout are freshwater fish found in cool, clear waters such as streams, rivers, and lakes. Some forms are anadromous, meaning they spend part of their lives in the sea and return to freshwater to spawn.
Human use
Trout are among the most popular game fishes and are also widely eaten. They are commonly produced in hatcheries and stocked in suitable waters.
Common types
Well-known trout include brown trout, rainbow trout, brook trout, lake trout, and cutthroat trout. Some of these names are used for related species or forms that may differ by region.
Key facts
- Trout are fish in the family Salmonidae and are closely related to salmon.
- Most trout live in freshwater, especially clear streams, rivers, and lakes.
- Some trout species migrate to the sea between spawnings.
- Trout are important sport fish and are also raised in hatcheries.
- The common name trout is applied to species in multiple genera, not a single genus.
Trout are important in Canada as both sport and food fish, and species such as lake trout are native to Canadian waters, including the Great Lakes region and northern lakes.
Frequently asked questions
What is a trout?
Are trout the same as salmon?
Where do trout live?
Do all trout stay in freshwater?
Are trout important to people?
References
- Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/animal/troutSupports: Trout are salmonid fishes, usually freshwater, sometimes sea-migrating, and important sport and hatchery fish.
- Britannica Kids — https://kids.britannica.com/students/article/trout/277433Supports: Trout habitat, popularity as sport and food fish, and examples of major trout groups.
- Merriam-Webster — https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/troutSupports: Trout as salmonid food and sport fishes, mostly smaller than typical salmons, living in cool clear freshwater or anadromous.
- Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/animal/lake-troutSupports: Lake trout distribution in northern Canada, Alaska, the Great Lakes basin, and its association with Canadian waters.