Rainbow Trout from the Flathead Lake area

The rainbow is Montana’s most popular game fish. It is assumed that only the rainbow trout of the upper Kootenai River drainage are native to Montana.  Rainbow spawn in early spring in moving water.  The state record is 33 pounds, but fish of up to 10 pounds are common in many areas.

More information about this trout species, see http://fieldguide.mt.gov/detail_AFCHA02090.aspx

Populations of native and introduced rainbow trout coexist in Kootenai River drainage, the only native home to Montana’s rainbows.