Rainbow Trout

Rainbow Trout is a freshwater and anadromous fish (Oncorhynchus mykiss) native to Pacific-draining rivers of North America and the Kamchatka Peninsula of Asia, and one of the most widely farmed trout species in the world. It is raised in flow-through raceways, ponds and recirculating systems across North America, Europe, Chile and elsewhere, valued for fast growth, tolerance of crowded rearing conditions and a mild flavor suited to both fresh and smoked markets. The anadromous form of the same species, known as steelhead, migrates to the sea and back like salmon, while the farmed stock is typically the resident freshwater form. Because it has been introduced so widely for both aquaculture and sport fishing, rainbow trout now maintains self-sustaining wild populations on every continent except Antarctica, far outside its native range.