Trout Species
Rainbow, brown, cutthroat, and brook are the varieties of trout found in the Blue river and the numerous, professionally managed spring-fed ponds found on the Ranch.
RAINBOW TROUT
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Oncorhynchus mykiss
DESCRIPTION: As long as 36”, weighing up to 28 lbs. Elongated, spindle-shaped. Freshwater species have prominent black spots on back, distinctive red band on sides. Metallic blue above, silvery-white below.
HABITAT: (local) Blue River, spring-fed ponds, Colorado River, high mountain lakes.
FYI: Spawn in the spring and the average female may produce 1,000 eggs at a time. Much-sought game fish, provides good eating. Rainbow trout were introduced to Colorado in 1882 and have become the most common cold-water game fish in the state. They prefer water in the 50 to 60 degree range, though they can withstand temperatures as high as 85 degrees. Trophy fish in the 10 to 18 pound class are not unheard of in Colorado.
BROWN TROUT
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Salmo trutta
DESCRIPTION: As long as 42”, weighing up to 39 lbs. The brown trout was first brought into this state in the 1890s and is now abundant from high mountain streams to broad rivers flowing onto the plains. These fish can be difficult to catch, but many anglers have good success during their fall spawning runs
HABITAT: (local) Blue River, spring-fed ponds, Colorado River.
FYI: Brown trout first arrived in the northeastern United States from Germany in 1883. German fish culturist Baron Lucius von Behr shipped 80,000 brown trout eggs to Fred Mather, an American angler, writer, and fish culturist that von Behr had met at the International Fisheries Exposition in Berlin. Von Behr continued to ship the red-spotted brown trout from Germany, but during this period, black-spotted brown trout also were arriving in the US from Loch Leven, Scotland.
TIGER TROUT
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Salmo trutta × Salvelinus fontinalis
DESCRIPTION: As long as 30”, weighing up to 15 lbs. Tiger trout are hybrids of the brown trout (Salmo trutta) and the brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis). Their name is derived from the exaggerated vermiculations that evoke a mental image of tiger stripes. Tiger’s markings are considerably different from their parents, and rather striking. The vermiculations of the male brook trout appear enlarged and twisted into a stripe-like pattern. Most also have a greenish cast, especially along the back. This hybrid rarely occurs naturally in the wild, although instances have been reported for decades.
HABITAT: (local) Blue River, spring-fed ponds, Colorado River.
FYI: Tiger trout are sterile hybrids of male brook trout and female brown trout. While they rarely occur naturally in nature, they are stocked as a control measure for stunted brook trout and rough fish, such as suckers, in Colorado by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. In addition to being used as a control measure, they offer fisherman an excellent sport fish opportunity
CUTTHROAT TROUT
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Oncorhynchus clarki pleuriticus
DESCRIPTION: As long as 30”, weighing up to 20 lbs. Elongated, cylindrical, moderately flattened from side to side. Back dark olive; sides variable – silvery, olive, reddish to yellow-orange; belly lighter; dark spots on back, sides, and on median fins. Bright red to red-orange slash mark on each side of throat.
HABITAT: (local) Blue River, spring-fed ponds, Colorado River.
FYI: These were the only trout found in Colorado when the white man arrived. There are more than 10 subspecies of cutthroat trout, locally called “native trout”. They prefer colder waters and typically are found at the very headwaters on high mountain streams and in mountain lakes.
BROOK TROUT
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Salvelinus fontinalis
DESCRIPTION: As long as 25”, weighing up to 7½ lbs. Elongated, spindle-shaped. Back and sides have red or yellowish tint with lighter wavy lines; sides have red spots within blue halos; belly ordinarily white, reddish in adult males. Fins relatively large.
HABITAT: (local) spring-fed ponds, high mountain lakes
FYI: One of the most colorful freshwater fishes. Typically, they flourish in the high alpine waters of Colorado from 9,000 to 12,000 feet. Brook trout are easily caught with the usual flies and baits and provide considerable fishing for unskilled anglers. Its fighting ability is good and its eating quality excellent.
