Identifying immature trout and salmon

[OldTimer]

Hope this post & pic helps a few id the small trout & salmon you may catch this summer in our tribs :

   

Immature salmon smolts have deeper forked tails than rainbows and browns.

All of these young fish can exhibit some of the blotchy blushing. The Atlantic's can be quite pronounced- almost bars. The Chinook's are light if at all.

Atlantic - note the one or two dark spots on the gill cover. Spots peppered above lateral line down it's sides. May have a few small pots on tail, if any.

Chinook - streamlined more than coho. Small spotting along top of back for both fish. Chinook's spots are darker & more definite. Both - no spots on tails. Neither of these fish develop their dark mouth and/or gum colouration till much later in life when they get to the lake.

Brown - large definite dark spots which may have lighter halos. Not much of a fork in tail. Adipose is usually orange.

Rainbow - lots of spots, including radiating lines of spots on tail, some on dorsal and some on adipose.

Note the more pointed head shape of the Pacifics.

Note the lower fin colouration from exhibit to exhibit.

Cheers,

OldTimer