In Montana, we enjoy several species of Trout. Anglers spend over a Billion dollars a year to fish our Big Sky waters. Many trout that are caught by anglers, are released, to hopefully catch again. Montana is a primary destination for worldwide anglers to visit.
Trout are Wild or Native. Wild trout are the result of hatchery breeds that can reproduce in the wild. Native trout evolved naturally in the waters where they are found. Montana’s only “Native” trout are Cutthroats. Brooks, Browns, Rainbows, Grayling, lakers, and Redband’s are all a result of stocked fish. Salmon found in Montana is also the result of stockings.
Stocked trout have left their footprints. In the Madison River alone, over 17 subspecies of rainbow trout have been stocked. Until stockings, no Rainbow trout lived east of the Rocky Mountains. Original Rainbow species were introduced from California and Washington stocks.
Trout were named long ago by the Latin and English cultures. Middle English translations used “Troute” and Old English translations use “Truht”. These words were derived from the Latin word “Tructa” and the Greek word “Troktes”. These words meant the nibbler or gnawer due to the trout’s sharp teeth.
Scientific names for trout include Oncorhynchus, Salmo, and Salvelinus. Trout and salmon have similar anatomy, habits, and characteristics. Spawning patterns are also similar. Some trout will travel between fresh and salt water during their lives.
Scientific or taxonomic names of trout often result from how they look, behave, and where they live. The Brook Trout was known as Salmo Fontalis, which means the leaper from the springs or headwaters. Rainbow trout were originally named Salmo Gairdneri, “the leaper of many colors”.
There are over 50 species of trout worldwide and several more subspecies of char, such as Brook Trout. Hybrid populations also exist due to hatchery/hybrid blending and other accidental natural hybrids. These include Tiger, Golden, and strains such as Cut-Bows.
Seatrout, from the oceans, are named due to similarities in how they look but are not the same species. These weakfish, and other species do not spawn the same or share the same habits and biology.
It’s funny that worldwide anglers, say from Europe, come to Montana to catch Brown trout which are native to Germany. The English army spread trout around the world as their empire grew. Places like India, Pakistan, Australia, Argentina, and many other emote areas now have thriving trout fisheries. Trout diversity around the world has become popular.
Trout are symbols of a healthy environment. They require cool, clean water to survive. Industrial plants and sewage treatment plants often keep trout populations where they discharge treated waters to prove that the water is healthy.
Being called a “Trout” is also a slang term used to refer to a trusted friend!
Montana Grant
