Where do steelhead trout live?

Steelhead trout are found in cold, clear rivers along the Pacific Coast of North America, from Alaska to Mexico. They are also found in some rivers and lakes in the Great Lakes region and the Atlantic Coast. Steelhead trout prefer water that is between 45 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit and has a pH of between 6.5 and 8.0. They also need plenty of oxygen, so they are usually found in rivers with a lot of riffles and rapids.

Migration

Steelhead trout are anadromous fish, which means they spend part of their life in the ocean and part of their life in freshwater. Steelhead trout are born in freshwater streams, but they migrate to the ocean as juveniles. They spend several years in the ocean before returning to their natal streams to spawn.

Spawning

Steelhead trout spawn in the spring and summer months. They build nests in the gravel of riverbeds and lay their eggs in the nests. The eggs hatch after about two months, and the fry emerge from the gravel. The fry stay in the freshwater stream for several months before they migrate to the ocean.

Diet

Steelhead trout are predators that eat a variety of fish, insects, and crustaceans. In the ocean, they eat fish such as herring, smelt, and anchovies. In freshwater streams, they eat insects such as mayflies, stoneflies, and caddisflies. They also eat small fish and crustaceans.