bull-trout
Species Facts

Science Name: Salvelinus confluentus
Other Names: red-spotted char, salmon-trout, bull char and Dolly
Ideal Temp: 45 to 55 F
Description

Until recently, bull trout were considered the same species as Dolly Varden. Most anglers have difficulty telling them apart, so the two go by the same common names, which include red-spotted char, salmon-trout, bull char and Dolly. They have grayish to dark green sides, with whitish to pinkish spots; white leading edges on lower fins; head longer, broader and more flattened than that of a Dolly Varden.

Hybrids Bull trout hybridize with Dolly Varden and brook trout.

Table Quality The flesh is normally pink and has a good flavor, but is not as highly regarded as that of brook trout or Arctic char.

Sporting Qualities Bull trout have a reputation as predators on other, more highly valued salmon-ids. Although bull trout are good fighters, they have not gained much popularity with anglers. They are difficult to catch on flies; most are taken by trolling in deep water with spoons or plugs on downriggers or wire-line rigs.

Habitat Primarily oligotrophic lakes and deep pools of large, coldwater streams. They prefer water temperatures from 45 to 55 F, and are usually found close to bottom. Except in Alaska, bull trout are not anadromous.

Food Habits The majority of the diet consists offish, but bull trout also eat crustaceans, molluscs and insects