Rainbow
Trout
 Onchoryncus mykiss
Status
The Rainbow Trout was introduced to the north eastern portion of the
Avalon Peninsula ,NF from California in 1887. They currently occupy the Avalon
Peninsula with populations occurring as far west as Clarenville, NF.
Habitat
The rainbow trout prefers more open and fast water
compared to brook trout. Rainbow trout can tolerate temperatures between 0 to 25oC.
Adults in lakes prefer 18oC. The depth that they are found in lakes
depends on oxygen levels and temperature.
Food
They feed on a variety of things including
plankton, crustaceans, insects, snails, leeches, fish and fish eggs.
Appearance
Highly variable in colour: steel blue, yellow-green or brown above,
silver to pale yellow-green below. Pink to red stripe on sides (except in sea
run form).
Breeding Biology
Unlike the other trout found in Newfoundland rainbows spawn in the
spring. Their preferred spawning sites are fine gravel beds in riffles above
pools. Females dig the redds or pits while being attended by several males;
however, usually one male is dominant. Egg development is dependant upon local
conditions but eggs will normally hatch in 7-8 weeks. They require an additional
3-7 days to absorb the yolk sacs before becoming free swimming.
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