Status (as of 2000): THREATENEDSteelhead Trout have streamlined bodies that are silvery or brassy in color and heavily speckled with a pink-red stripe along their sides. In the ocean, they become more silver. They can reach 45 inches in length, but are usually much smaller. They typically weigh 8 lbs. but can weigh over 50 lbs.
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Threats to the SpeciesHabitat Loss: Freshwater habitat loss and degradation (dam building and water quality).
Disease: Whirling disease, a due to parasites, which causes skeletal deformities and death in young, hatchery-raised trout. Pesticides: Toxic mixtures of certain pesticides in run-off affect neurological activity in steelhead trout, leading to reduced survival and death. |
Range and HabitatHabitat:
Juveniles - feeding and rearing in streams and small freshwater tributaries; deep, low-velocity pools are important wintering habitats; aquatic vegetation, boulders, and wood are used as protective cover Adults - foraging in estuarine and marine waters of the Pacific Ocean Spawning adults - streams with gravel substrates free of excessive silt Range: All along the entire Pacific Coast. |
BehaviorSteelhead can spawn twice and migrate from ocean waters to freshwater to mate, though some populations stay in freshwater habitats their whole lives (in which case they are called rainbow trout). Unlike salmon, they do not die after spawning.
Prey: When young, zooplankton. As adults, fish eggs, small fish, crustaceans, mollusks, insects, and even mice. Predators: Lampreys, fish, birds, bears, river otters, raccoons, and humans. In the ocean, steelhead are preyed on by many species, such as seals, sea lions, and orcas. Hybridization: Can occur with other trout, including non-native species. |
Life CycleSpring
Mating: In freshwater. Summer Young: Hatch in 3-4 weeks. 2 - 3 Years Sexual maturity reached. Males at 2 years, females at 3 years. 4 - 6 Years Lifespan: 2-3 years in fresh water followed by 2-3 years in the ocean. |
Resources
- "Steelhead Identification & Information." Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, n.d. Web.
- "Rainbow-Trout-or-Steelhead." National Wildlife Federation. National Wildlife Federation, 2015. Web.
- 3."Species Profile for Steelhead (Oncorhynchus (=salmo) mykiss).” ECOS Environmental Conservation Online System. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, n.d. Web.
- "Steelhead Trout (Oncorhynchus Mykiss)." NOAA Fisheries. NOAA, n.d. Web.
- "Steelhead Trout." California Department of Fish and Wildlife. California Department of Fish and Wildlife, n.d. Web.