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.

Bull trout are easily distinguished from rainbow and cutthroat trout but are more commonly confused 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. 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. The historic state record for bull trout is 32 pounds but they are more commonly found up to 10 pounds.

Fish and Game has placed signs near waters where bull trout are common. Brochures describing them are usually available at or near fishing areas. The Fish and Game web site contains a fish description page with pictures at <http://fishandgame.idaho.gov./fish/fish_id/home.cfm> to help anglers to be able to identify bull trout. Business card-sized handouts showing bull trout in clear full color are also available in many fishing stores and license vendors. A group of anglers recently presented a fish at the Fish and Game office in Boise. They said they had been told by other anglers that the fish, about 24 inches long, was a brook trout that might be a record. The fish was taken at Redfish Lake in the Sawtooth Mountains near Stanley. Upon inspection by one of Idaho's senior fish biologists, the prize catch turned out to be a bull trout--much to the consternation of the angler who caught the fish and his companions.

Because there was obviously no intent to violate the law, only a warning ticket was issued and the fish was confiscated, however the angler could have been cited and fined $200 or more.


IDAHO FISH AND GAME
HEADQUARTERS NEWS RELEASE
Boise, ID