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| The average size of a Rainbow Trout is 40 cm in length
and they weight less than 1 kg. In Australia, their maximum size is
90 cm in length and they can weigh 8 kg. They can live for up to 5
years. |
Rainbow Trout were introduced into the Basin region in 1894 from the
Pacific coast of North America. They are found in mountain rivers from
northern New South Wales to Victoria and South Australia and also in
rivers in lower regions where cold water is released from dams. They
are stocked in
a large number of lakes and dams.
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IN THE PAST
Rainbow Trout were introduced in 1894. Since then it has increased
in abundance in suitable habitats. |
TODAY
Rainbow Trout remains abundant. It breeds in the wild and is regularly
stocked to maintain fish numbers. |
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| MOUNTAINS |
SLOPES & TABLELANDS |
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| LAKES
AND DAMS |
Rainbow Trout are found in swift-flowing mountain creeks
and streams that are above 400 m. They are also found on slopes and tablelands where
the release of water from dams reduce the water temperature. They are
also abundant in some cool-water lakes.
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| RIFFLES & RAPIDS |
| Rainbow Trout prefer areas with swift-flowing water and
rocky or gravel bottoms. |
MATING
Rainbow Trout males are adults at 2-3 years, females at 3 years
old. The female digs a series of holes in the stream bed. The male joins
the female above the holes and eggs and sperm are released. The eggs
settle in the holes and are covered with gravel by the female. |
SPAWNING
The direction that Rainbow Trout migrate in
to spawn varies
according to the location of adults. Spawning occurs in August - October
(winter and early spring) and only where water depth and flow over the
gravel patches are sufficient. |
EGGS
500-3000 eggs are released into each hole. Rainbow Trout eggs
are large (3-5 mm diameter) and can take 3-12 weeks to develop, depending
on the water temperature. Eggs require well-oxygenated water to develop
and will die if smothered with silt. |
JUVENILES
After hatching, juvenile Rainbow
Trout form schools in slow, shallow water on the edges of streams. |
| Rainbow Trout feeds on a wide range of aquatic insects, crustaceans, molluscs,
worms, fish and insects. |
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| Most Rainbow Trout move upstream into tributaries to
spawn. This is triggered by a rise in the water level. |
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IN THE PAST
Rainbow Trout were introduced in 1894 for recreational fishing.
Previously, there wasn’t a commercial industry. |
TODAY
Today, Rainbow Trout form the basis of an important aquaculture industry
and are used in a variety of products. |
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IN THE PAST
Rainbow Trout were introduced into Australia because it was
a popular species for fishers. |
TODAY
Rainbow Trout are a very popular recreational fish throughout
New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. |
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LEGAL SIZES
Sometimes there are limits on the size of Rainbow Trout that
can be caught.
| ACT: |
At least 25 cm in length |
| NSW: |
At least 25 cm in length |
| Qld.: |
Not found |
| SA: |
At least 28 cm in length |
| Vic.: |
At least 30 cm in length |
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CATCH LIMITS
Sometimes there are limits on the number of Rainbow Trout that
can be caught.
| ACT: |
A limit of 5 fish |
| NSW: |
A limit of between 2 and 10 fish in this State, depending on
the exact location. |
| Qld.: |
Not found |
| SA: |
None |
| Vic.: |
A limit of between 5 and 10 fish in this state, depending on
the exact location. |
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CLOSED SEASONS
Sometimes Rainbow Trout can only be caught at certain times
of the year.
| ACT: |
The season is closed after the long weekend in
June and extends to before the October long weekend. |
| NSW: |
The season is closed for the same length of time as for the
ACT. However, some rivers are closed all year in this State. |
| Vic.: |
The closed season depends on the exact location in this State. |
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BAIT
Rainbow Trout are caught using lures and
flies as bait. Fishing gear restrictions apply in New South Wales
and Victoria. Baits that are not allowed to be used in New South Wales
include live fish, frogs and Trout or Salmon roe (or any products
containing them). |
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| WATER FLOW |
| When the water flow is reduced silt can smother the Rainbow Trout eggs
causing them to die. |
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| FISH MOVEMENT |
| Dams and weirs create barriers to Rainbow Trout who are trying to migrate
and spawn up the river. |
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| FISHING |
| Due to its popularity with recreational fishers there is potential for
Rainbow Trout to be overfished. |
REMEDIES?
Private and government hatcheries supply
juvenile Rainbow Trout for stocking the wild. Trout farms also grow Rainbow
Trout to until they reach 250 gms to 300 gms. Many commercial hatcheries
supply fish markets and the restaurant trade when the fish reach that size. |
MANAGEMENT PLANS
Rainbow Trout are a very popular introduced fish and part of the
recreational fishing industry in the Basin. Most fishers want to continue
to catch and eat this species. However, fish ecologists now
recognise that this fish (and other members of its family) may be competing
with native species
of fish for habitat and food.
In addition, the release of cold water from dams has made conditions
in some areas more suitable for Trout than for our native species of
fish. Ecologists think it will be difficult for some native species of
fish increase their numbers abundance while there are Rainbow Trout in
the waterways of the Basin.
One management strategy that may assist native species of fish involves a more careful
selection of where Rainbow Trout are stocked. By selecting certain areas where existing
stocks of Rainbow Trout could be fished out and then not replaced, native species may
begin to increase in numbers again.
Another helpful management action includes managing dams so that they release warmer
water from the surface rather than cold, poorly-oxygenated water from the middle or bottom
of the dam which Rainbow Trout seem to like.
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