Rainbow Trout

The Origin Of The Rainbow Trout;
     The Rainbow Trout is native to the Pacific coast of the United State and eastern parts of Asia. In the picture to the left the map shows where Rainbow Trout can be found naturally, farm raised, and areas where the fish has been introduced to as well. The orange-brown section is where Rainbow trout can be found naturally. The dark pink areas are places where there are some but few Rainbow Trout. The maroon color shows areas where Rainbow Trout are not native but have been introduced to lakes, rivers, and streams. In these maroon areas these fish are seen more often then in the darker pink areas but not as highly seen as in the orange-brown areas. Every area except for the orange-brownish area are stock by humans. They transport these fish to areas of interest to the people. They do this for many reason; recreation, expand and deepen the diversity of the area, and the number reason is sport fishing.

Rainbow Trout and The Local Ecosystem;
   Rainbow Trout have to compete with other fish like brown trout, brook trout, and bass. These fish are not a big threat to the waters, but the are in danger all the time by other animals. Some animals that prey on Rainbow Trout are northern water snakes, minks, kingfishers, herons (bird) and sometimes otters. The only time these fish cause a threat to other fish and smaller animals in theses waters is when they grow to be 12" or more. Rainbow Trout and other brook trout eat bugs. This is the only insect that these fish have a big impact on. They keep and help control the bug population as well.


How They Compete in Their Ecosystem;
     The Rainbow Trout does not have a problem competing with other fish on native plants and other animals. The Rainbow Trout feed off the bottom of lakes and ponds, and usually feeds off the top of streams, rivers, and small inlets. They will feed off of both the top and bottom of shallow areas. They mostly feed off of small flies; mayflies, caddis flies, stoneflies, and their larvae. They also eat small bait fish, worms, and salmon eggs.


Reducing Their Impact;
     There is not being anything done to reduce their impacts on nature because they are not a major threat to the ecosystem. They are also not a threat at all to humans. If anything they would be putting more trout into the ecosystems because they help control they insect population and help to clean the bottoms of the water bodies.




images; Google images
http://www.nps.gov/shen/naturescience/rainbow-trout.htm

http://www.missouriscenicrivers.com/Rainbow.html