Color and Identification
The back is olive, the sides golden, and the belly and lateral stripe can be vivid red-orange. Dark spots concentrate toward the tail and on the dorsal and caudal fins. Parr marks commonly remain visible in adults, an important part of the characteristic pattern.
Native and Stocked Waters
The native distribution centers on Golden Trout Creek and the South Fork Kern River. Stocking has established fish in many additional high-elevation lakes and streams. Those introduced populations should remain distinct from the original Kern Plateau distribution.
Angling and Ancestry
Small flies, including dries and terrestrials, and small lures are used where fishing is permitted. Some South Fork populations contain hybrid ancestry and may show less vivid coloration. Color alone cannot establish genetic purity. An upper size from an older account combining several Kern trout forms is not assigned to this narrowly defined fish.
Keep Native and Introduced Waters Separate
A distant alpine-lake catch can be a stocked Golden Trout. It does not expand the species’ original California stream range.
All Lakes With Golden Trout
Browse lakes and reservoirs with documented Golden Trout records, listed alphabetically. Records do not establish current abundance or public access. Check the evidence and managing authority for the water you choose.
Showing 1–24 of 1,031 lakes · Page 1 of 43
- Abernathy Lake Okanogan, WA
- Airplane Lake Lemhi, ID
- Airplane Lake Chelan, WA
- Airview Lake Okanogan, WA
- Alger Lakes Mono, CA
- Alpine Creek Lake #11 Blaine, ID
- Alsace Lake Fresno, CA
- Ambition Lake Fresno, CA
- American Lake Yakima, WA
- Amphitheater Lake Fresno, CA
- Amphitheater Lake Madera, CA
- Amphitheater Lake Tulare, CA
- Amy Lake Fresno, CA
- Anchor Lake Carbon, MT
- Angel Lake Custer, ID
- Ann Lake Chelan, WA
- Anna Lake Mono, CA
- Anona Lake Madera, CA
- Ansel Lake Tulare, CA
- Apollo Lake Fresno, CA
- Arrowhead Lake Fresno, CA
- Arrowhead Lake Fresno, CA
- Art Lake Yakima, WA
- Arthur Lake Chaffee, CO