What makes a steelhead?

[Sasha]

I was pokin around on the interweb and found this interesting bit of info.

Some trouts, like rainbow trout, may go to the sea. Then they are called "steelhead," although they are still the same species, Oncorhynchus mykiss. Other trouts can be found in the ocean as well. Dolly Varden and "sea-run cutthroat" are examples. Often, the main factor in whether trouts migrate to sea seems to be whether the coast is near enough to their home streams. Rainbow trout may be considered land-locked steelhead (they never go to sea). Most salmon go to sea. Kokanee, however, are land-locked sockeye salmon, or Oncorhynchus nerka. Adult kokanee are smaller than sockeye, and they spend their adult lives in lakes instead of the ocean.

[FlyinFish]

Now I'm confused...

If they were all at one point sea going, and they all have the ability to go to sea, then what exactly is a Steelhead? Is it just a fish who decides to go to sea?

If a landlocked rainbow was once sea going in it's passed, then how is it different then a landlocked steelhead?

[anacrime]

Steelhead is one that ACTUALLY goes to sea or has gone to sea.

A landlocked rainbow trout has not gone to sea. If a landlocked rainbow has gone to sea in its past, it is a landlocked steelhead.

[Sasha]

Not to go too far off on a tangent. But imagine how cool it would be if golden trout went out to see and came back Then one could fish for B run goldens

[anacrime]

Would be super cool

I wonder how long it would take if you transplanted them to an acceptable stream.

Or if their color would just make them easy prey in the ocean.

[Sasha]

Steelhead is one that ACTUALLY goes to sea or has gone to sea.

A landlocked rainbow trout has not gone to sea. If a landlocked rainbow has gone to sea in its past, it is a landlocked steelhead.

Kind of makes the "How can great lake rainbows be considered steelhead" point.

[Sasha]

Would be super cool

I wonder how long it would take if you transplanted them to an acceptable stream.

Or if their color would just make them easy prey in the ocean.

Test project????????

[FlyinFish]

Shane, thanks for all the clarifying.

I agree with what Sasha is SCREAMING in the uped font size.

So are the Great Lakes fish able to make it to the salt? Or have they ever in their lives?

[Sasha]

Shane, thanks for all the clarifying.

I agree with what Sasha is SCREAMING in the uped font size.

So are the Great Lakes fish able to make it to the salt? Or have they ever in their lives?

No they have not as 1. they were transplanted there and 2. there is no access to the ocean because of "the falls".

[FlyinFish]

Shane, thanks for all the clarifying.

I agree with what Sasha is SCREAMING in the uped font size.

So are the Great Lakes fish able to make it to the salt? Or have they ever in their lives?

No they have not as 1. they were transplanted there and 2. there is no access to the ocean because of "the falls".

Ok, so, then are they genetically different than a rainbow trout in the same water?

[Sasha]

I believe (I could be wrong) that they were transplanted from stock out west. I would "assume" there there are some genetic differences; however to what degree I would not know.



A side thought: Are rainbow trout even indigenous to that region?

[FlyinFish]

So did rainbow trouts start as steelhead and slowly evolve to be genetically different?

I guess for the lakes the statement is something like - fish that were taken from steelhead stocks and introduced to the lake as landlocked steelhead (and will eventually mix with the rainbows and just become regular rainbow trout since they don't go to sea no more).

I can see how there is a difference between a trout in the lakes that was a steelhead out west and the trout in the lakes that have never ever seen the sea for several generations.

[NorcalBob]

<<<A side thought: Are rainbow trout even indigenous to that region?>>>
No. Rainbow trout are only indigenous to waters that drain into the Pacific Ocean.
An interesting discussion topic above, but unfortunately, there are no real answers. Kind of like are blondes, brunettes, or redheads better!!!!
And I'm staying out of it!!!!

[rayfound]

Shane, thanks for all the clarifying.

I agree with what Sasha is SCREAMING in the uped font size.

So are the Great Lakes fish able to make it to the salt? Or have they ever in their lives?

No they have not as 1. they were transplanted there and 2. there is no access to the ocean because of "the falls".

Ok, so, then are they genetically different than a rainbow trout in the same water?

Theoretically, the fish in Lake Ontario do have access to the ocean, however, they (even the Chinook Salmon) don't exercise that opportunity, not in any meaningful way anyway. ***EDIT*** - Apparently they no longer have access to the ocean, after construction of the Saunders Dam

As Rainbows need streams to spawn, out there they call every rainbow that is in the Lake, or participating in a spawning run from the lake, a steelhead .

[Sasha]

Kind of like are blondes, brunettes, or redheads better!!!!

My answer to that is: Get all three