Reference Guide > Montana Fish Field Guide > Trout > California Golden Trout
California Golden Trout - Oncorhynchus mykiss aguabonita
Exotic Species (not native to Montana)
Global Rank: G5T1
State Rank: SNA
Agency Status
USFWS: none
USFS: none
BLM: none
CFWCS Tier: 4
General Description
The golden trout is a California species that was introduced in Montana in 1907. There are currently about 20 golden trout populations in the high mountain lakes of western and southcentral Montana. They provide a unique opportunity to catch a beautiful fish in a pristine environment. Golden trout up to 4 pounds have been caught in Montana but typical size is usually 6-12 inches. Golden trout are spring spawners and can usually be found in inlet or outlet streams to high mountain lakes around the Fourth of July. Like other mountain lake trout species, they are opportunistic feeders, surviving off a variety of aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates.
Distribution
Montana Range
Migration
Migrates from lakes into tributary streams to spawn.
Habitat
Found only in mountain lakes in Montana; also successful in clear, cool lakes at lower elevations . Spawns in redds over clean gravel of fist size and smaller. Spawns mostly in outlets, but also in inlets and occasionally along lake shoals.
Food Habits
Aquatic insects are most important, but other aquatic insects and terrestrial insects are important ant times. May feed at benthos, in water column, or at surface. Zooplankton rarely taken.
Ecology
Readily hybrizes with cutthroat and rainbow. Demise of former 50+ populations of golden trout largely due to introduction of other spring spawning species, whether by hybridization or replacement.
Reproductive Characteristics
Spawns June-July at ice-out at water temperatures of 44-58 degrees F. Sexually mature: usually 3-4 years; sometimes 2 years. Incubation: about 46-52 days at temperatures of 46-52 degrees F. Fry emerge in early September.
Citations & Sources
Holton, G. D. 2003. A field guide to Montana fishes. Mont. Dept. Fish, Wildl. Parks, 95 pp.
Citation for data on this website:
California Golden Trout — Oncorhynchus mykiss aguabonita. Montana Field Guide. Retrieved on January 31, 2009, from http://FieldGuide.mt.gov/detail_AFCHA0209A.aspx
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