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+--- Thread: Bull Trout (/showthread.php?tid=417947)
Bull Trout - Dryrod - 05-24-2008
[font "Garamond"][#008000][size 4]Idaho : No Spots on Fin, Leave it in
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[font "Garamond"][#008000][size 4]Anglers need to take a second careful look at the trout they catch this fall to avoid conflict with the law protecting bull trout. [/size][/#008000][/font][font "Garamond"][#008000][size 4]An angler might catch a bull trout in almost any region of Idaho. They are widespread, though not abundant, in most waters that are clean and cold enough for them. A fall spawner, bull trout become more aggressive and are easily caught this time of year. Bull trout are listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act and are protected by Idaho law as well. No bull trout can be kept and must be returned immediately unharmed to the water. [/size][/#008000][/font][font "Garamond"][#008000][size 4]Bull trout are easily distinguished from rainbow and cutthroat trout but are more commonly
with brook trout or lake trout. Bull, brook, Dolly Varden and lake trout are members of the char family. The bull trout and the coastal Dolly Varden are close relatives and are native to western United States. In fact, they are so similar that the name bull trout and Dolly Varden were considered the same species until just a few years ago. Bull trout have a green to blue-gray back, with dark gray sides. They and the other char have lighter-colored spots than the body color. They do not have spots on the dorsal fin, the single big fin in the middle of the back. Yellow, orange or red spots dot its sides. The pelvic, pectoral and anal fins have a white leading edge. [/size][/#008000][/font][font "Garamond"][#008000][size 4]Brook trout have a black line and a white line on the leading edge of their fins so distinct it frequently can be seen while they are swimming. Bull trout lack that black edge. Brook trout also have wavy black lines on their dorsal fin. Rainbow and cutthroat trout have light-colored bodies with black spots on them[/size][/#008000][/font]. [center]
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