Alternate name: Arizona Trout

Family: Salmonidae, Trouts view all from this family

Description To 18" (46 cm); 3 lbs (1.4 kg). Moderately stout, compressed; dark olive to brown above, sides and belly yellow to golden-yellow; many dark spots about one-half diameter of pupil on head, back, sides, and fins; large, prominent, dark spot behind eye; lower part of head orange to yellow-orange. Pelvic, dorsal and anal fins white-tipped; dorsal fin large; adipose fin present. Lateral line complete, 112-124 scales.

Endangered Status The Apache Trout is on the U.S. Endangered Species List. It is classified as threatened in Arizona. The Apache Trout was almost exterminated by exotic trouts that were introduced into its waterways. Rainbow Trout hybridized with it, and Rainbow, Bull, and Brown Trout competed with it for food and habitat and preyed on it. Changes to habitat, mainly the result of damming and other water-management practices, also took a toll. Recovery efforts are underway, including the renovation of habitat and reintroductions of the Apache Trout into waterways within its original range.

Related Species Gila Trout (S. gilae) has smaller, closely spaced, dark spots extending onto belly and small, dark spots on dorsal and caudal fins; occurs in mountain streams in sw. New Mexico and central Arizona. The Gila Trout is now an endangered species.

Habitat Clear mountain streams above, 7,544' (2,300 m) with riffles and pools.

Range Headwaters of Salt and Little Colorado rivers, e. central Arizona.

Discussion The Apache Trout, also called the Arizona Trout, is found in the wild only in Arizona.