Key Takeaways
| Fact | Description |
| Scientific Name | Oncorhynchus mykiss aguabonita, Oncorhynchus aguabonita |
| Common Name | Golden Trout or California golden trout |
| Habitat | Between 2,100 m (6,890 feet) and 3,000 m (10,000 feet). But can as high as 3810 m (12,500 feet) |
| Native Range | Southern Sierra Nevada mountains in California |
| Diet | Aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates |
| Size | 15 to 30 cm (6 to 12 inches) long |
| Lifespan | Up to 9 years in the wild |
Introduction
California golden trout or Golden Trout, also known by its scientific name Oncorhynchus mykiss aguabonita, is a type of fish that originally comes from California. This special trout is closely related to two rainbow trout subspecies.
One is the Little Kern golden trout (O. m. whitei), which lives in the Little Kern River basin. The other is the Kern River rainbow trout (O. m. gilberti), which you can find in the Kern River system. Together, these three trout form what is sometimes referred to as the “golden trout complex”.
Physical Characteristics
Golden Trout are easily identifiable by its unique coloration and markings:
- Golden flanks with red, horizontal bands along the lateral lines on each side
- About 10 dark, vertical, oval marks (called “parr marks”) on each side
- Dorsal, lateral, and anal fins have white leading edges
- In their native habitat, adults range from 15 to 30 cm (6 to 12 inches) long
Habitat and Distribution
The Golden Trouts is a fish native to the southern Sierra Nevada mountains in California and commonly found in the following locations:
- Golden Trout Creek (tributary to the Kern River)
- Volcano Creek (tributary to Golden Trout Creek)
- The South Fork Kern River
They usually lives at high altitudes, often found between 2,100 m (6,890 feet) and 3,000 m (10,000 feet) above sea level. But other than in California, they are usually found in cirques and creeks in wilderness areas around 3200 to 3657 m (10,500 to 12,000 feet) high. Sometimes, these places are even higher than 3810 m (12,500 feet) and can’t be reached without special climbing gear until after the fourth of July.
The Golden Trout likes water that’s between 14 and 17 °C (58 to 62 ℉) but it can handle warmer temperatures up to 21 °C (70 ℉) in some streams on the Kern Plateau, as long as the water cools down at night.
Diet
They are omnivore, mostly feed on aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates. Their prey includes:
- Small crustaceans
- Caddisflies
- Midges.
Lifespan
It has a lifespan up to 9 years in the wild.
Reproduction
Golden Trout usually matures between 2 and 3 years old. They start to mate hen the water starts to get warmer in the spring or early summer. The most active time for mating is in the late afternoon, when the day is at its warmest.
Females lay their eggs in shallow nests dug in gravel beds. Then, the male fertilizes the eggs by releasing his sperm into the water. Females can lay a lot of eggs, anywhere from 300 to 2,300!
After about 20 days, the eggs hatch and the baby fish, or fry, come out. As they get bigger, the fry moves from the substrate to the open water where they can find food.
Conservation Status
Golden Trout is currently listed as Critically Imperiled. This status highlights the importance of conservation efforts to protect this beautiful species and its habitat.
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