Coastal Rainbow Trout

The coastal rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss irideus) is a rainbow trout subspecies native to cold-water tributaries of the Pacific Ocean across northeastern Asia and western North America. The North American portion of the range extends from Southern California north to the Aleutian Islands of Alaska. Anadromous (sea-run) forms of coastal rainbow trout are commonly called steelhead.

Angler Challenges

The coastal rainbow trout is included in the Western Native Trout Challenge but only those caught in Alaska qualify (listed as Alaskan rainbow trout).

The coastal rainbow trout is included in the California Heritage Trout Challenge. Qualifying catches can be reported as either steelhead or coastal rainbow trout to select artwork depicting anadromous and non-anadromous forms, respectively.