Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency

Region 4

Stream Management

Trout Identification

Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis)

* Red, yellow or orange spots on the sides and belly

* Light, worm-like markings on a dark upper body

* White leading edge on lower fins

* Tricolor lower fins, leading edge is white followed by black and red

Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

* Small black dots throughout the body that extend throughout the tail

* Pink band along the middle of the body

* Brown body with large dark spots and reddish dots, many having halos

* Tail slightly forked, no spots on the bottom of the tail

Brown Trout (Salmo trutta)

Tennessee Trout

Click on illustrations for additional information

* Deeply forked tail

* White leading edge on lower fins

Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush)