Steehead Or Rainbow??????

[marshrat]

How can you tell the difference between a steelhead or a rainbow trout?? I have heard of alot of things but only 1 scientific way to look at there scales under a microscope. Do you guys know of any more??

[synergyboy10]

i believe that a true steelhead is a rainbow trout that has gone to saltwater and back. but dont quote me on that. i think i seen it on the discovery channel and i heard it from a local charted captian.

[billybono]

a steelhead is a lake run rainbow thats all

a male and female pre spawn steelie......and LITTLE ones for waters around here





   billybono

[MXFISHER656]

I don't know for sure but I was always told a steelhead is a name for a rainbow trout that lives in one of the great lakes and grows much larger than one that lives in a land locked lake or stream. There environment (a LARGE body of water loaded with food) enables them to grow much larger and steelhead isn't much more than a nick name. I think the nickname has something to do with the fact that they show less of the red/pink color and have alot more silver. I'm not sure about this but it sounds possible.


656

[marshrat]

I know for a fact that they are different species it is a relative of the rainbow. They also stock rainbows separately than steelheads

[billybono]

well for a fact steelheads scientific name is Oncorhynchus mykiss  and rainbow trouts scientific name is Oncorhynchus mykiss...google search it


                                       billybono

[marshrat]

I do belive its Oncorhynchus gairdneri !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[billybono]

I do belive its Oncorhynchus gairdneri !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

you mean ..Middle Columbia River Steelhead or snake river steelhead....Oncorhync hus mykiss gairdneri   whuch are both on the federal endangered species list



                   billybono
 

[archbishop]

i believe that a true steelhead is a rainbow trout that has gone to saltwater and back. but dont quote me on that. i think i seen it on the discovery channel and i heard it from a local charted captian.

i seen that show on discovery as well, not sure of the specifics but that was the jist of it

http://www.naparcd.org/steelheadtrout.htm#rainbowtrout

[billybono]

from
http://www.naparcd.org/steelheadtrout.htm
Rainbow trout and steelhead are the same species of fish; the two names reflect two distinct life history patterns. The name rainbow trout is used for the non-anadromous life history. Rainbow trout do not leave the stream to go to the ocean. They spend their entire life in the stream. The name steelhead refers to the anadromous life history described above.

Anadromous steelhead and resident rainbow trout did not arise from two distinct evolutionary lines. There is a close genetic and taxonomic relationship between these two forms. Anadromous forms of the trout can convert to resident populations when drought events or damming of rivers blocks their access to the ocean. Conversely, resident trout populations can become anadromous if ocean access becomes available. It is typical to have both life history patterns occurring in the same stream. In fact, resident and anadromous parents can produce offspring of both varieties. It has been speculated that there is a food availability related trigger which determines whether a particular fish emigrates to the ocean or remains in the stream. It may be that if there is abundant food in the stream and a fish is growing at a rapid rate, it will remain in the stream. If food is limited and growth is slow, the fish will have a tendency to emigrate


 but in ny like salmon the use the great lakes insted of the ocean


                                          billybono

[marshrat]

Steelhead trout are sea-run types of rainbow trout, and originate in North America.  Most of them remain in fresh water for 2-3 years, spend 2-3 years in the ocean, and return to the natal river to spawn.  Some return to spawn for a second or third time.  The record size is 114 cm in length and 19.5 kg in weight.

[archbishop]

The record size is 114 cm in length and 19.5 kg in weight.

since when do they use the metric system in northern PA?
i guess it makes the numbers look bigger but your still not going to beat NY in the tourney

[hard_water]

bigredonice im sure could give you the rundown on steelies and bows, for a young guy he is very knowledgeable.


                         water

[MSUICEMAN]

okie dokie.... here we go... people are confusing strains with species.

steelhead and rainbow trout are one in the same species. snake river steelhead, yadda yadda yadda are different strains of fish. here in MI we have skamania strain steelhead and Michigan strain steelhead (which is just a mottled up derived from McCloud strain steelhead). I read a study that said some stream fish will sometimes just get a notion to move out into the lake, even if they are decendented from stream 'bows. Maybe that gets engrained over time, and tada, you have a steelhead strain (look into coaster brook trout in lake superior). All great lakes steelhead are descendents from planted steelhead taken from the greater NW (skamania strain, mccloud river strain). These fish naturally went into the saltwater to forage, but have adapted quite well in the Great Lakes.

There is no exact way to really tell them apart without a doubt. Steelhead have a tendency to have less spots on the tail and below the percieved lateral line of the fish. But this isn't full proof either, as not every fish is alike.

[synergyboy10]

i dont mean to start an argiment or anything but the great lakes is not the saltwater so it cant be the same.

[marshrat]

http://www.google.com/scholar?hl=en&lr=&q=Oncorhynchus+gairdneri+&btnG=Search
I don't see y its listed as a different species then i have read it like billybono said and like this its listed under a different category the rainbow

[billybono]

i dont mean to start an argiment or anything but the great lakes is not the saltwater so it cant be the same.

so our king salmon in new york arnet really king salmon??   now I'm intrigued   


     billybono

[marshrat]

Steelhead Trout
 

The steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss *) is a rainbow trout that has spent a part of its life in the sea. There are no major physical differences between rainbow and steelhead trout; however, the nature of their differing lifestyles has resulted in subtle differences in color, shape, and general appearance.

General description: Like all trout, the steelhead are positively separated from the various salmon species by having eight to twelve rays in the anal fin. The rainbow trout/steelhead group are then separated from the brook trout, lake trout, and Dolly Varden by the complete absence of teeth at the base of the tongue. Generally speaking, steelhead are more slender and streamlined than resident rainbow. Like rainbow, the coloration on the back is basically blue-green shading to olive with black, regularly spaced spots. The black spots also cover both lobes of the tail. The black coloration fades over the lateral line to a silver white coloration blending more to white on the stomach. Steelhead from the ocean are much more silver than the resident rainbow. On steelhead the typical colors and spots of the trout appear to be coming from beneath a dominant silvery sheen. The silvery sheen gradually fades in fresh water, and steelhead become difficult to differentiate from resident rainbow trout as the spawning period approaches. Steelhead and rainbow lack the red slash on the underjaw characteristic of cutthroat trout, but do have white leading edges on the anal, pectoral, and pelvic fins. Spawning steelhead and rainbow develop a distinct pink to red strip-like coloration that blends along the side, both above and below the lateral line. On steelhead, the rainbow trout coloration gradually fades following spawning to the more characteristic silvery color that the fish display during their ocean journey. The distinct and beautiful coloration of steelhead during the freshwater spawning period is apparently important in regard to the mating and reproductive process. The silvery sheen and streamlined shape of ocean-bright steelhead is essential to survival in the ocean environment.

Juvenile steelhead trout are identical to rainbow trout until the period prior to their ocean migrations. Young trout and stunted adults have eight to thirteen parr marks on their sides. There are five to ten parr marks between the head and dorsal fin. Prior to migrating to the sea, juvenile steelhead become very silvery and resemble miniature adults. They are called smolt during this life phase.

Distribution: Steelhead are found in the coastal streams of Alaska from Dixon Entrance northward and west around the Gulf of Alaska down to the Cold Bay area on the Alaska Peninsula. There are no documented populations of steelhead on the Alaska mainland west of the Susitna River and north of the Chignik River system. This area is generally known as Bristol Bay and contains excellent resident rainbow trout populations but no steelhead.

We have little information on the ocean migration of Alaska steelhead; however, large numbers are intercepted in high seas fisheries, and undoubtedly many of these fish are of Alaska origin. Steelhead migrate to areas west of the Aleutian Islands and are routinely caught in net fisheries off the coast of Japan.

Life history: When compared to the mundane habits of resident trout, steelhead lead a very complicated and dangerous life. Each spring thousands of 6-inch steelhead smolt leave the streams to begin their ocean journeys. For every 100 smolt that reach the sea, only five to ten will return as a first-spawning adult. Within a one-, two-, or sometimes three-year period, Alaska steelhead will have moved hundreds of miles from the parent stream. Some populations return to the home stream as early in the year as July and are known as “summer steelhead.” Summer steelhead are relatively rare in Alaska and found in only a few select Southeast Alaska streams. “Fall” run steelhead are much more common, particularly in the systems north of Frederick Sound. These fish enter the freshwater systems as adults in August, September, October, and on into the winter. Anchor, Naha, Karluk, and Situk rivers have good runs of fall run steelhead. Many of the Southeast Alaska systems have spring run steelhead. These fish end their ocean journeys in mid-April, May, and June. In many rivers, bright, shiny spring run fish can be observed mixed with rainbow-marked spawners that have spent the entire winter waiting for the spring spawning period.

Spawning commences about mid-April and usually occurs throughout May and early June. A male may spawn with several females, and more males than females die during the spawning period.

Unlike salmon, steelhead commonly spawn more than once, and fish over 28 inches are almost always repeat spawners. The ragged and spent spawners move slowly downstream to the sea, and the spawning, rainbow colors of spring return to a bright silvery hue. Lost fats are restored and adults again visit the feeding regions of their first ocean migration. On rare occasions a fish will return to the stream within a few months, but most repeat spawners spend at least one winter in the sea between spawning migrations.

While adult spawning wounds are healing and growth resumes, the eggs which were deposited deep in the gravel during the spring quickly develop into alevins or "sac-fry". These tiny fish gradually absorb the yolk sac and work their way to the surface. By mid-summer fry emerge from the gravel, minus the yolk sac, and seek refuge along stream margins and in protected areas. Tremendous numbers of eggs and fry are killed or washed from the stream each year, but by fall 2- to 3-inch steelhead populate habitat that, hopefully, will carry them through the first winter. Generally, the juvenile steelhead will remain in the parent stream for about three years before outmigrating to salt water.

If all steelhead left the stream at the same age, returned after the same length of time in the ocean, and died after spawning, the adults in a given stream would be of similar age. They don’t. Add to this the complications of summer run, spring run, and fall run fish spawning at the same time and in the same stream, and you have a rather complicated situation. Perhaps nature has conspired to make steelhead life history complicated so that a harsh flood, winter, or drought does not destroy all of a given population.

Sport fishing: Adult steelhead like fast, deep, running water. Fish the deep holes in the stream. Fish the fast, white water areas and behind rocks and log jams. Quite often large holes form in front of log jams and these areas should not be overlooked.

Steelhead like colorful flies such as the Russian River coho, hair skyhomish, skyhomish sunrise, red rascal, and polar shrimp. Confusing? Try egg imitations. A single hook with a tuft or strand of orange yarn is often just the ticket for steelhead. Hardware works too, and small spoons to large spinners will catch steelhead.

Catch-and-release: Anglers are encouraged to practice catch-and-release when fishing for steelhead. When rigging for steelhead, consider removing the barbs from your terminal gear. Steelhead are usually hooked in the outer mouth parts. This means that they will live to spawn or bite again if gently released. Removing the barb from your hook will allow you to release the fish without even taking it from the water. While it is legal to take steelhead, these stocks are limited and easily overexploited. By practicing catch-and-release and limiting harvest of steelhead, fishers can help maintain this species.

*Use a single hook, artificial lure or fly.
*Land fish quickly.
*Handle fish with wet hands, no net.
*Keep fish in water, handling gently.
*Keep hands and fingers away from gills.
*Carefully remove hook or cut line.
*Revive fish by moving it gently back and forth in the water before releasing it.


Text: Frank Van Hulle
Illustration: Ashley Dean


 

* The scientific name for steelhead has been revised. This page shows the current and correct scientific name. (In 1988, The American Fisheries Society published a symposium proceedings (cited below) and in that document they included a paper by Robert L. Kendall, the Managing Editor of the American Fisheries Society on Nomenclatural Changes. For additional information see the following: Gresswell, R. E. 1988. Status and management of interior stocks of cutthroat trout. American Fisheries Society Symposium 4.)

 
 
 
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[camo_fish]

well it is: Oncorhynchus mykiss
 cause here you go.
http://www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/region2/ie/sicc/salmon_p.cfm
AND
http://www.forestsandfish.com/NativeFish/index.php?cPage=Native
AND
http://www.npafc.org/Species/species.htm
Haven't seen anything with what you have.  

[marshrat]

http://www.csa.com/partners/viewrecord.php?requester=gs&collection=ENV&recid=7510615
ASPECTS OF THE WINTER ECOLOGY OF JUVENILE COHO SALMON (ONCORHYNCHUS KISUTCH) AND STEELHEAD TROUT (SALMO GAIRDNERI)
BUSTARD, DR; NARVER, DW
JOURNAL OF THE FISHERIES RESEARCH BOARD OF CANADA, VOL 32, NO 5, P 667-680, MAY 1975. 9 FIG, 1 TAB, 15 REF.

THE MAJOR PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF OVERWINTERING AREAS FOR JUVENILE COHO SALMON (ONCORHYNCHUS KISUTCH) AND STEELHEAD TROUT (SALMO GAIRDNERI) WERE DESCRIBED FOR A SMALL, UNLOGGED STREAM. MEAN DEPTHS OF WATER, MAXIMUM WATER VELOCITIES, WATER TEMPERATURES, WINTER COVER SELECTION, FEEDING AND HIDING BEHAVIOR, TRIBUTARY MOVEMENTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE EFFECTS WERE DISCUSSED FOR THE COHO SALMON AND STEELHEAD TROUT. (KATZ)

Descriptors: *SALMONIDS; *SALMON; *TROUT; *BIORHYTHMS; *GROWTH STAGES; *JUVENILE GROWTH STAGE; FISH BEHAVIOR; STREAMS; SEASONAL; WINTER FOOD HABITS; LIFE CYCLES; ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS; FORESTS; HABITATS; WATER TEMPERATURE

[billybono]

im not sure i understand the argument anymore    all i know is go up to pulaski ny tomorrow and tell some guys there not catching steelhead because they dont run salt water.....see what kind of looks you get  


                                                      billybono

[Grimace]

I do belive its Oncorhynchus gairdneri !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

it use to be Salmo gairdneri,   but is now Oncorhynchus mykiss.   

[synergyboy10]

i dont kniw that much about these fish i just know how to catch them. i just stated what i watched on tv and i also heard it from a chater captian.

[marshrat]

LOL The thing is they are even listed separate on the pa guide to fish they have all other scientific names listed but not the steelhead s don't ask me y

[camo_fish]

it use to be Salmo gairdneri,   but is now Oncorhynchus mykiss.   

right:
http://www.nefsc.noaa.gov/faq/fishfaq2c.html
read the stuff at the bottom of the page.  

[Grimace]

I know for a fact that they are different species it is a relative of the rainbow. They also stock rainbows separately than steelheads

is this still the argument..   because they are all the same fish..  different habits,   some spawn at different times ( Skamania)  but still the same fish.


And a good looking fish i might add

[archbishop]

i think they were once steelhead and when introduced to NY they no longer went to the sea but instead use the great lakes as there sea, technically they are probably different than "true" steelhead that make runs into salt water, but because they dont run into salt water anymore it doesnt make them not steelhead, if you understand that?

http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/fish/fishspecs/trouttxt.html#scientificnames

they have the same scientific name in NY as the rainbow but a different one for the ones that run to salt water

[marshrat]

Effect of pentachlorophenol on the growth and mortality of embryonic and juvenile steelhead trout
Stephen E. Dominguez1 and Gary A. Chapman1

(1)  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Corvallis Environmental Research Laboratory, 200 S.W. 35th Street, 97333 Corvallis, Oregon

Received: 2 February 1984  Revised: 4 May 1984 

Abstract  The toxicity of sodium pentachlorophenate to early life stages of steelhead trout (Salmo gairdneri) was investigated, using a flowthrough exposure system. A 96-hr LC50 of 66 g/ L was derived for previously unexposed ten-week-old fry. A 72-day test, beginning 24 hr after fertilization, yielded a chronic toxicity threshold of 14 g/L. These results, and the acute/chronic ratio of 4.7, compare reasonably well with values in the literature. Yolk sac edema and cranial malformations, which are commonly observed in chronic tests with technical grade pentachlorophenol, were rare in this test with purified (99%) material.

[Pasquatch]

i dont mean to start an argiment or anything but the great lakes is not the saltwater so it cant be the same.

It doesnt have to do with the salinity of the water, it has to do with the spawning habits.

[marshrat]

is this still the argument..   because they are all the same fish..  different habits,   some spawn at different times ( Skamania)  but still the same fish.


And a good looking fish i might add

From what i have read i do not think they are the same fish