Bull trout - Definition

The bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) is a char of the family Salmonidae. It is found in western North America, ranging from the Yukon to northern Nevada, most commonly in the high mountains, and a population exists east of the Continental Divide, in Alberta.

It has been recorded at up to 103 cm in length and weighing 14.5 kg. Its head and mouth are unusually large for salmonids, giving it its name.

The bull trout favors the deep pools of the larger cold lakes and rivers, where it feeds on zooplankton and zoobenthos, especially chironomids.

The Dolly varden (Salvelinus malma malma) is also known as "bull trout" in Canada; at one time S. confluentus was considered a subspecies of the Dolly varden.

External link

• FishBase entry for Salvelinus confluentus (http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.cfm?genusname=Salvelinus&speciesname=confluentus)
• "Saving the Bull Trout" (http://www.ti.org/gumtow.html)

Example Usage of trout