Description
Migratory fish, returns to spawn in rivers.
How to identify it
Slender caudal peduncle, black X-shaped spots above the lateral line, upper jaw reaching the eye.
Appearance
The body is tapered and sturdy, with blue-silver flanks in adults that have just come in from the sea. The black spots are few and almost all above the lateral line, while the tail is usually free of them and clearly concave, unlike the almost straight tail of the sea trout. All fins except the adipose have a dark edge. Once back in the rivers to spawn they change appearance: the males darken, with greenish or reddish tones. River juveniles have blue and red spots.
Habitat and habits
It is a migratory fish: it is born in cold, clear rivers with a gravel bed, where the young stay for one to four years, then in spring it goes down to the sea to grow. As an adult it goes back up the same river where it was born, stops feeding and spawns on the gravel of the upper stretches; unlike Pacific salmon, some individuals survive and make the journey again. It suffers greatly from warm water and barriers. There are also populations landlocked in large lakes, without access to the sea.
There's more in the app
This species' bite index, recommended baits and methods, and the rules of the day for every water. Offline too.
Soon on Android and iPhone
