Rainbow trout or steelhead trout are native to cold waters and are usually a good indicator of clear and healthy streams and lakes. The historic range of the rainbow trout runs from Alaska to Mexico. Native rainbow trout are usually found in watersheds west of the Cascade mountain range. These trout are referred to as Steelhead Trout. These native Steelhead trout are anadromous, which means they migrate when they are young to the Pacific Ocean and return to freshwater to lay their eggs. Most Steelhead trout outside of this historic range are domesticated and referred to as rainbow trout. Below is a map illustrating the historic range of native rainbow trout versus the naturalized population. (1).
Rainbow/Steelhead habitats consist of cold headwaters, creeks, small to large rivers, cool lakes, estuaries, and oceans. Depending on the genetic make- up of the trout population and the habitat conditions they will use some or all of these aquatic habitats during their lives. Ideal trout waters are clear, clean and cold. A Good trout stream habitat is complex, consisting of an array of riffles and pools, submerged wood, boulders, undercut banks, and aquatic vegetation. (1)The ability of the trout to swim to and from different habitats from ocean to headwaters, or from tributaries to headwaters, increases the value of the individual habitat.<<<<(don't know if should include thator this)>> Assuring fish passage through artificial barriers in a system of connected habitats greatly enhances the capability of an aquatic system to sustain rainbow trout populations.
Rainbow trout spawn in main river channels and their tributaries and inlet or outlet streams from lakes. Steelheads are famous for their ability and tendency to return to the streams from which they hatched. Starting in spring and early summer rainbow trout most commonly use stream riffles located downstream from pools as spawning areas.