RAINBOW TROUT(Salmo gairdnerii)
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: The black spots vary in size from pin points up to about one-eighth inch in diameter, but are rarely large or perfectly round. They are usually found on the upper half of the head, on the upper half of the body, and on the dorsal and caudal fins. The lateral band is usually conspicuous, reddish to violet, extending from the head to the caudal fin. The lower side of the head is commonly reddish. There are no "cutthroat" dashes of red on the membrane beneath the jaw in typical rainbow, although some rainbow in some areas may show small orange marks similar to those of a cutthroat. There are no small red spots on the sides, nor wavy marks or bars on the back or dorsal fin. All trout vary somewhat in their coloration, but the rainbow are extremely variable. Rainbow in some lakes and reservoirs may be quite silvery except on the back; they may have very few spots and these may be indistinct, and the red on the head and sides may be completely lacking.