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Golden Trout Complex
Golden trout (O. aguabonita) are species of trout native to Kern River drainage in the southern Sierra in California. The golden trout complex is comprised of:
The California golden trout (O.a. aguabonita), the type subspecies,
The Little Kern golden trout (O.a. whitei), and
The Kern River rainbow trout (O. mykiss gilberti).
California golden trout (USGS photo)
Note: The Kern River rainbow trout is currently recognized as a subspecies of rainbow trout. It was previously thought that the subspecies was the result of natural hybridization between the Little Kern golden trout and the coastal rainbow trout thousands of years ago. Recent studies have found them to be more closely related to California golden trout than anything else and should be regarded as a golden trout subspecies.
Each of these subspecies separately qualifies for both California's Heritage Trout Challenge and the Western Native Trout Challenge.
Golden trout should not be confused with the palomino trout or golden rainbow trout, which are mutated forms of rainbow trout.
California Golden Trout
The California golden trout (O.a. aguabonita), is native to two drainages: the Golden Trout Creek, a tributary of the Kern River, and the South Fork of the Kern River. It is also known as the Volcano Golden Trout. Golden Trout Creek, a designated Wild and Heritage Trout Water, was previously called Volcano Creek. The California golden trout is the State Freshwater Fish of California.
If you want to catch California golden trout in Golden Trout Creek, you'll need to put in a multi-day hike. The hike to Golden Trout Creek is 8 miles long over Cottonwood Pass. Alternatively, Mulkey Creek is a 5 mile hike over Trail Pass. Both of these hikes start from the Cottonwood Pass & Trail Pass trailhead at Horseshoe Meadow above Lone Pine.
Golden trout can be found in the Cottonwood Lakes / Horseshoe Meadow area but these are out-of-native-range populations.
Golden trout can also be found on high-clearance 4x4 accessible portions of the South Fork of the Kern River, such as in Monache Meadows, but they typically show significant signs of hybridization with stocked rainbow trout.
Golden x rainbow hybrid
Little Kern golden trout
Little Kern Golden Trout
The Little Kern golden trout (O.a. whitei) is native to the Little Kern River and its tributaries, including Clicks, Fish, Mountaineer, Soda Springs, and WIllow creeks.
Of these, the most commonly fished is Clicks Creek as you can basically drive up to it and start fishing. Nearby the Lewis Camp Trailhead provides access to the Little Kern River itself, dropping nearly 2000 feet in a bit over 4 miles. The trail parallels Fish Creek, my favorite creek for targeting Little Kern golden trout.
Kern River Rainbow Trout
The Kern River rainbow trout (O. mykiss gilberti) is native to the Kern River. It has been extirpated from most of its historic range. It now can only be found in the Kern River and its tributaries above the confluence of Durrwood Creek. They can be found in upper Ninemile, Osa, and Rattlesnake creeks.
To get into a nice Kern River rainbow trout in its namesake waterway, I recommend you fish the Kern River near the Forks of the Kern. It's a bit of a hike, it's roughly a 5 mile hike round trip with an 1100+ foot climb out. But you'll be hopefully be rewarded with a might fine catch. Note that there is no bridge to cross the Little Kern River so best to go when the flows are reasonably low.
Kern River rainbow trout (CDFW photo)
This article was authored by Kurt Zeilenga as part of our Western States Trout Species series.
Suggestions on how to improve this article may be sent to Kurt@TroutAdventures.org.
Additional Reading
Trout and Salmon of North America by Robert Behnke
Fly Fishing for California Native Trout by Kurt Zeilenga
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