Latin name

Oncorhynchus apache

Other names

Arizona trout

Identification

The Apache trout is a bright fish with yellow to golden flanks, a fat fin, and a large dark spot behind each eye. The head, back, sides, and fins have evenly spaced dark spots, and the dorsal, ventral, and anal fins have a white border. The underside of the head is orange to yellowish orange, with a complete lateral line of 112-124 scales.

Distribution

Apache trout are found in the upper Salt River and Little Colorado River system (Colorado River watershed) in Arizona. It is found in the West Fork of the Black River and several smaller waters such as Lee Valley Lake, and the largest population is on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation.

Habitat

Apache trout live in clean, cool headwaters of mountain streams and creeks above 7,500 feet and in mountain lakes. They depend on reservoir development, shade-tolerant riparian vegetation, and undercut banks for shelter and can tolerate a wide range of temperatures.

Size

Adult fish are usually 8 to 15 inches long, although they can reach 18 inches. The world record for any tackle is held by a 5 pound, 3 ounce fish caught in Arizona in 1991.

Life history and Behavior

Depending on geographic elevation, spawning occurs between March and mid-June. The higher the elevation, the later spawning occurs, beginning when the water temperature reaches 46°F. Females lay between 100 and 4,000 eggs in nests (called redds) in the lower reaches of water bodies. Fewer eggs are seen in wild populations and more in hatcheries.

Food and feeding habits

Like other stream trout, Apache trout feed on both aquatic and terrestrial insects such as mayflies, caddisflies, and grasshoppers.

Reproduction

No information