Trout is the common name given to a number of freshwater fish species belonging to the salmon family. Trout have no spines on the fins, and all of them have a small adipose fin along the back, near the tail.

Trout are generally found in cool, clear streams and lakes, and are native throughout North America, Asia and Europe. In California, steelhead trout are found in coastal watersheds, many native species ply the high mountain creeks of the Sierras and rainbows and browns can be found throughout the state.

Trout are an "indicator species:" when trout disappear from a lake or river, that watershed is in trouble. When our streams and rivers slow down, dry out or heat up, trout are the first to feel it. When trout they die off in an area, they leave critical gaps in the ecosystem that cannot be filled by other species.

California Trout works primarily to protect wild trout and the habitat that support them.

Wild trout like the brown and some rainbow trout species that were introduced into California's lakes and rivers many years ago are protected under the state Wild Trout Program. California is also home to several species of heritage trout, which were here long before our state was called California. So, while all heritage trout are wild trout, not all wild trout are heritage trout.

California is home to ten species of native trout, far more than any other state. Its 60 major watersheds include over 20,000 miles of rivers and streams. Our state leads the nation in extinct or imperiled aquatic species. The challenges facing native trout are particularly acute in the Sierra Nevada, where river systems are the most altered and habitats impaired by logging, mining and grazing.

California Bull Trout: While Bull Trout populations still remain in other western states, no Bull has been caught in California since the 1970's. Before their disappearance, they were found in the McCloud River in Siskiyou and Shasta counties.

Paiute Cutthroat Trout: This is the rarest trout in California and one of the most imperiled species in the state. Limited to two small populations surviving in Silver King Creek in the Humboldt Toyabi National Forest and the Inyo National Forest, the Paiute is listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Presently there are only about 500 Paiute trout over six inches. The two primary reasons for their diminishing numbers are habitat loss caused by overgrazing and the introduction of non-native trout species including rainbow and brown trout.

California Golden Trout: Once called the Volcano Creek Golden Trout, this species was designated as the State Fish by the California Legislature in 1947. Their range encompasses approximately 120 miles of stream habitat found mostly within the Golden Trout Wilderness high in the Sierras. The California golden trout is a State Species of Special Concern (Source: Fish Species of Special Concern in California, CA DFG, Second Edition, June 1995.) and a Forest Service classified Sensitive Species. The golden is the most likely California-native species to be federally listed as endangered, due to habitat degradation, primarily by livestock, and planting of non-native trout species.

McCloud River Redband Trout: This unique and colorful rainbow trout subspecies is native only to the McCloud River and tributaries above Middle Falls near Mt. Shasta. Redbands populate about 60 miles of stream habitat but their numbers have been reduced by competition with non-native trout, primarily German browns. Hybridization with introduced rainbow trout and deficient late summer flows are also a problem. The McCloud River redband trout is a State Species of Special Concern and is a candidate for federal listing.

Eagle Lake Rainbow Trout: This rainbow trout subspecies is confined to Eagle Lake near Susanville in Northern California. The Lake's population is a robust one. However, the fish are spawned in a local hatchery as their historical spawning grounds (Pine Creek) go dry at certain times during the year due primarily to cattle overgrazing. The fish is presently listed as federally threatened.

Lahontan Cutthroat Trout: This cutthroat species historically occurred throughout the Walker, Carson, Truckee and Honey Lake drainages including Lake Tahoe, Donner and Fallenleaf Lake. Today, the Lahontan population is restricted to 14 streams in the Lahontan drainage with about 23 miles of occupied habitat, as well as 720 acres in Independence Lake. Presently the population consists of less than 10,000 adult fish. The Lahontan cutthroat trout is a federally listed threatened species due primarily to past overgrazing. Currently, the Lahontan is considered stable and a population has been re-established in the Upper Truckee River.

Goose Lake Trout: This rainbow trout species occurs in Goose Lake and most of its tributaries, as well as some of the tributaries of the Pit River. Historically, significant spawning runs consisting of thousands of 2-5 pound trout occurred in most suitable tributaries and provided a popular trophy fishery. Today, most of the spawning runs are blocked by diversion dams and are de-watered for irrigation purposes. The California Department of Fish & Game (DFG) feels that, despite the drought of 1992-93 which caused the lake to dry out completely, there is a good chance for the population to stabilize and even grow. And in tributaries such as Lassen Creek, several hundred Goose Lake trout have been seen spawning. The Fish and Wildlife Service wants to see the trout listed while the DFG feels that they should not be.

Warner Lake Redband Trout: This rainbow trout subspecies was isolated in Warner Lake approximately 15,000 years ago. Evolutionary changes during their long period of isolation resulted in a unique strain of trout. Human impact over the last 150 years has resulted in the fragmentation and diminishment of the marsh/lake/stream systems. Basin floors were developed for agriculture, which included extensive damming, channeling, draining and loss of marshlands. Irrigation diversions were constructed on most streams causing de-watering and physical blockages for both upstream and downstream migrating trout. Cattle grazing also contributed to channel destruction in some locations. In several cases, the loss of adjacent marshlands appears to be related to increased alkalization. Lake and marsh rearing habitat and functioning migration corridors have been lost as a result. Exotic warm water species have infiltrated and spread.

Little Kern River Golden Trout: This colorful rainbow trout subspecies is native only to the Little Kern River drainage. In 1978 this species was listed as threatened. However, because of long and expensive restoration efforts, the Little Kern golden trout is now restored to 80 miles of stream habitat. It is likely to be the first species in California to be de-listed. Because of unauthorized plantings of exotics this may cause a delay in this de-listing.

Kern River Rainbow Trout: This rainbow subspecies formally occurred throughout the Kern River drainage but is now limited to the mainstem, upstream of the Little Kern River where it occupies about 30 miles of stream habitat. The Kern River rainbow is a State Species of Special Concern primarily as a result of hybridization with planted rainbow trout. The current population is relatively stable and is not federally listed.

Coastal Cutthroat Trout: The coastal cutthroat trout's range occurs from the lower Eel River north to Seward, Alaska. To date, 182 populations occupying 650 miles of stream habitat have been documented in California. In addition, they occur in five coastal lagoons with 4,500 acres of habitat. The best population occurs in the Smith River drainage where 14-18 inch fish are common. This population is considered stable and is not federally listed, but is listed as a State Species of Special Concern.