Steelhead

Steelhead are the anadromous (migrating) version of rainbow trout. Rainbow trout are the "land locked" version, and remain in freshwater throughout their life. Steelhead migrate from the ocean into freshwater to spawn, and then can swim back out to the ocean again if they wish. Since steelhead are not semelparous (meaning they do not die after spawning) they are not an "official" Pacific Salmon. But, steelhead are often a favorite of local fishers for their large size and feisty attitude. Lake Washington currently has a steelhead recovery program underway to help increase the number of fish in the system. If you see a salmon, here's some tips to use to determine whether or not it's a steelhead trout...

Photos from Inland Fishes of Washington by Whitney and Wydoski, ©copyright 1979 University of Washington Press. Reprinted by permission of the University of Washington Press.

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