RIVER FISH · Interior rainbow trout
Redband trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdnerii
An inland form of rainbow trout native to portions of the Columbia River basin, adapted to western rivers and streams that can be warmer and more variable than classic coastal trout water.
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Meet the fish
- Habitat
- Rivers, streams and connected waters of the interior Columbia basin, with local populations occupying a wide range of flow and temperature settings.
- On the menu
- Aquatic and terrestrial insects, crustaceans and small fish, varying with season and body size.
- Size context
- Body size depends strongly on habitat, from relatively small stream residents to larger river and lake-connected fish.
- Range & local context
- Native to parts of the interior Columbia River drainage in the Pacific Northwest.
Living with the river
Water & habitat
Temperature, passage, cover and flow stability all matter. Redband tolerance can differ among populations, so one temperature threshold should not be applied everywhere.
Seasonal life
Spawning generally occurs in flowing water over gravel, with timing varying among basins and elevations.
Why this song? Redband trout gets a color-name match with “Red Red Wine” — pure jukebox logic.
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Before you go
Some native redband populations receive special management attention. Check local wild-trout, harvest and conservation rules.
Use the linked agencies and the relevant river guide for current regulations, closures and consumption advisories. A species profile is not a fishing license or a statement that harvest is allowed.
Editorial review: . Regional size examples are labeled; maximum lengths are not typical sizes.
More river fish
Keep exploring species connected to the same river-guide network.