![]() ![]() Interbreeding with non-native trout species and competition for resources with these species has significantly impacted the population. Terrestrial insects, including ants, grasshoppers, and gnats, also become stranded on the water, providing a desirable addition to the Apache trout’s diet. Invertebrates, such as worms, will often wash into rivers and streams during spring runoff. Terrestrial insects and invertebrates are another food source. This includes the larval and pupal stages when these insects are submerged, as well as top-water stages, such as the emergence (also known as hatches) and egg-laying stages. This species has an affinity for cooler temperatures, so you will only find them in the forested mountains of east-central Arizona.Īpache trout feed on aquatic insects, such as caddisflies and mayflies, during various stages of their life cycle. Hatchery-raised fish also populate tribal lakes, as well as public waters. It’s worth noting tribal lands are the home of most native, wild-born Apache trout. These high altitude rivers and streams lay in the White Mountains of Arizona, at an altitude of 6,000 feet. The wild-born Apache trout has only 600 miles of waterways to call home. The Apache trout can live to six years of age, but the vast majority will only live to be about four years old. It takes the Apache trout around two years to reach maturity. Upon hatching, the young Apache trout will evade predators by day, and by night migrate downstream. The spawn incubates for roughly six weeks, protected from predators by their gravel spawning bed. Lakes will typically have larger specimens in the area of fifteen inches.Ī post shared by Isaiah Smith on at 8:15pm PDTįemale Apache trout will spawn any time between March to mid-June. ![]() ![]() In its native rivers and streams, the Apache trout will reach sizes six to ten inches in length. The ventral fins have an orange hue, and there are distinctive white accents on the lower edges of the pelvic and anal fins. This trout species features prominent black spots along its body, dorsal, and tail fins, with slightly sparser spots on the anal fin. The Apache trout sports a beautiful gold belly, which transitions to a dark olive just below the lateral line. Purists will find the best angling opportunities on tribal land, although public waters provide a host of opportunities for hybrid and hatchery-raised populations. The Apache trout’s small population and limited range have earned it the title of Arizona’s state fish. The Apache Trout is a rare and beautiful trout species found only in the high mountains of Arizona. Interested in catching an Apache trout? Here’s everything you need to know. ![]()
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