Trout of North America: The Complete Guide

It’s undeniable that North America is a Trout fishing paradise with a variety of different Trout species to choose from and thousands of places to fish for them. From small streams, rivers, ponds, and lakes, the waterways of the United States and Canada are ideal for any aspiring Trout aficionado ready to take their Trout fishing to the next level. However, with so many different species of Trout, and all of them looking fairly similar, how do you know what you’re Trout species you’re catching?

Rainbow, Brooke, Brown, and so many more! And some fish you thought were Trout may not be a Trout species at all…but don’t worry, we have you covered with our complete guide to the Trout of North America. In the following guide to Trout of North America, we’ll cover:

If you’re ready to head out on the local river, lake, or stream and chase some Trout for yourself, be sure to check out The Best Trout Lures: A Comprehensive Guide, which covers everything you need to know about the best lures for Trout.

Catching Trout, regardless of what species you’re targeting, can be quite challenging, especially when you’re fishing in an area you’re unfamiliar with. However, thanks to the Fishbox App, a premium Fishing Forecasting App, you’ll have access to advanced technology, including the best time to go fishing and when you’re better off relaxing at home.

North American Trout Species

Below are the kings of the North American Trout fishing scene, including Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Gila Trout, and Brown Trout. 

The Rainbow Trout

Rainbow Trout are possibly one of the most well-known Trout species in North America. They get their name from their signature pink and rainbow stripe which runs along the side of their body. However, they can also be identified by the black spots on their dorsal fin, body, and their broad square tail.

Native to the Pacific coast, with their habitat ranging from Mexico to Alaska, Rainbow Trout have been introduced to various waterways they never originally inhabited. Along with being stocked in various areas in the United States and Canada, Rainbow Trout have also been introduced as far away as Australia and New Zealand. There are a variety of Rainbow Trout species, including Steelhead, Redband Trout, and Golden Trout.

The Cutthroat Trout

Although they don’t get as much as their larger cousins, the Rainbow Trout and Cutthroat Trout, they are impressive in their own unique way. They have a dramatic flash of red along their lower jaw, which makes them look like they’ve been cut, and it’s this marking and coloring that is responsible for their name.

Commonly found in the western half of the United States, from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Coast, Cutthroat Trout are also found in southwestern Canada and as far north as Alaska. Along with most species of Trout, Cutthroat Trout have also been introduced into non-native waterways across Canada and North America.

The Gila Trout

Most anglers will go their entire life without seeing a Gila Trout in the wild. Unless you live or have lived in New Mexico or Arizona, you may not have heard of them at all. Gila Trout only live in the tributaries of the Gila River, and predominantly in the Gila National Forest and the Also National Wilderness Area.

Due to overfishing, loss of natural habitat, and the introduction of other Trout species, Gala Trout numbers were drastically reduced in the early half of the 20^th century. Gala Trout were the first Trout species to be included in the endangered species category.

The Brown Trout

Although Brown Trout are found in North America, it’s important to note that they’re not a native Trout species. Brown Trout were introduced from Europe into North America in the mid-1860s. Despite their name, Brown Trout aren’t always brown, ranging from silver to golden depending on the environment in which they spend most of their time.

Unlike a lot of other Trout, Brown Trout look more like a Salmon than a Trout, and that’s because they’re closely related to the Atlantic Salmon. After their introduction, Brown Trout were quick to expand their range and can be found from Ontario, Canada, through to Georgia and the Great Lakes, living predominantly in the western half of America.

North American Char Species

Our next selection of ‘Trout’ isn’t even Trout at all. They’re actually Char, a cousin of both Trout and Salmon, but their names have led to a lot of confusion over the years. In the following section, we’ll break down some of the most common species of Char, including the Lake Trout, Brook Trout, Dolly Varden Trout, Bull Trout, and Arctic Char.

The Lake Trout

The biggest species in the Char family, the Lake Trout, is a cold-water fish that can grow over an impressive 80 pounds, and it’s their large size that makes them easy to identify if you’re wondering what variety of Char you’ve landed or hooked. Some other ways to identify a Lake Trout include their forked tail, which is typically more pronounced than other species of Char, Trout, or Salmon, and their cream-colored spots.

Native to most of Canada and Alaska, including the Great Lakes and Northeastern United States, Lake Trout has spread a long way from their original range over time. They’ve also started to show up in lakes and rivers they were never seen in before.

Lake Trout typically have the same appearance, but they do have a long list of nicknames, including Mackinaw, Grey Trout, Togue, Touladi, and Namaycush.

The Brook Trout

Another non-trout species, despite its name, is the Brook Trout. A lot smaller than most other species of Char, Brook Trout generally averages only 1-2 pounds in weight, and very rarely will you ever see a natural Brook Trout that reaches above 10 pounds. They are easily identifiable by the ‘worm-like’ markings on their back and head, along with white tips on their lower fins.

Native to the waterways in the east of North America, Brook Trout are now found in all of the Great Lakes, south through the Appalachian Mountains, and north up into the colder Arctic Sea. You’ll find Brook Trout in most cold-water streams and rivers in the Rockies and into most of Canada’s southern provinces.

Thanks to their cold-water endurance abilities, Brook Trout has been introduced worldwide, including in New Zealand, Australia, and many European countries.

The Dolly Varden Trout

Despite their name, Dolly Varden Trout are, in fact, another Char species, and it was only recently that Dolly Varden Trout was clearly identified as a different species to Artic Char. For a long time, they were not only assumed to be a variety of Arctic Char but they were also misidentified as a Trout.

Dolly Varden Trout can be found in the northwest, well into the arctic reaches, down to Washington. Surprisingly, these adventurous fish have also popped up in rivers in Siberia and also Japan.

It’s not always easy to identify Dolly Varden Trout, as they look similar to other species of Char, but they rarely exceed 10 pounds, don’t have the same markings as Brook Trout, and have a less pronounced fork in their tail than a Lake Trout. 

The Bull Trout

Known as one of the rarest Char species in North America, Bull Trout only live in cold, large rivers in the Pacific Northwest. Most anglers will never see a Bull Trout unless they go out of their way to find one. If you want to add a Bull Trout to your list of accomplishments, the best places to catch one are in Washington, Oregon, Alberta, and British Columbia.

Almost identical to Dolly Varden and Arctic Char, Bull Trout were commonly known as Dolly Varden up until they were correctly identified in the 1970s. The easiest way to identify a Bull Trout is based on the location you’re fishing in and their size. If the fish is over 10-12 pounds and has a rounded tail, it’s most likely a Bull Trout.

The Arctic Char

One of the only species of Char to actually be known as a Char, the Arctic Char are limited to the northernmost areas of Alaska and Canada. Found in cold-water drainages off the Arctic Ocean, Arctic Char spend most of their time in these drainages before heading back to their original spawn river to spawn again. Before their spawn, the Arctic Char is well-known for its bright coloring and patterns. 

Hybrid Trout Species

The final section of our Trout of North America are crossovers, Hybrid Trout species which, though rare, are still available in the wild in some locations. Hybrid Trout species include the Tiger Trout, Splake, and Cutbow.

The Tiger Trout

A Tiger Trout is the result of crossing a male Brook Trout with a Female Brown Trout. Tiger Trout don’t resemble either of their parents or most other Trout species, with a very pronounced worm-like pattern spread across their body. They also have a stockier build compared to most other Trout species and enjoy using that weight when they’re attempting to throw hooks, which makes them a great challenge for anglers, especially on light tackle.

Tiger Trout rarely occur on their own and in the wild, which means that your best chance of catching one yourself is in a lake that has been stocked with them. If you want to add a Tiger Trout to your list, lakes in Michigan and Wisconsin are your best bet for a Tiger Trout expedition. Either way, hook one of these monster fish, and you’re unlikely to forget it for a long time!

The Splake

A Splake is the result of a male Brook Trout breeding with a female Lake Trout, and the result is quite impressive but not so impressive for other small fish. Splake started hunting and feeding on other small fish much sooner than most other fish, and it’s because of this aggressive nature they earned their nickname, Wendigo Trout.

Splakes look similar to a Brook Trout but have the pronounced fork tail of a Lake Trout. Although, in theory, Splake Trout could naturally reproduce in the wild, it’s very rare, and almost all Splake are bred in captivity and released into the wild. The most significant breeding programs for Splake are in Ontario, where they’re released into Georgian Bay and several other small lakes because of their fast growth rate and popularity among sports anglers.

The Cutbow

The Cutbow Trout is a hybrid of the Rainbow Trout and Cutthroat Trout. Unlike either Tiger Trout or Splake, which are typically intentionally cross-bred, Cutbow occurs naturally in small streams where Rainbow Trout has been stocked alongside Cutthroat Trout. Often seen as a nuisance fish because of their genetic effect on native species, some places intentionally stock them, including the White River in Arkansas, for sport fishing purposes.

Trout of North America: The Complete Guide | Conclusion

Hopefully, by carefully reading the complete guide to the Trout of North America, you’ll have an obvious idea of the different species, where they’re located, what habitat they prefer, and even some tips on how to catch them.

There is a rich and diverse global culture around Trout fishing, with many anglers preferring to catch and release Trout to live, breed, and fight another day. Before you head out on the water for a day of Trout fishing, be sure to check the local rules and regulations in the area you’re planning on fishing in and make sure that you’re aware of season, size, and bag limits and have the appropriate fishing license, stamp, or endorsement.

By doing our part as responsible anglers, we can all ensure the ongoing health and well-being of the fishery for future generations.

If you’re new to freshwater fishing, specifically Trout fishing, and looking for a little help, the premium fish forecasting application Fishbox App will put you in the perfect position by analyzing local weather and water conditions along with input from experienced anglers. The Fishbox App utilizes accurate weather, tide, and fishing conditions to predict the best time to get out on the rivers and lakes in your local area.

Do you have any advice for new Trout anglers? We’d love to hear your thoughts, feedback, and comments. Who knows? Your advice could help convert a new angler into a lifelong Trout fishing enthusiast.