TROUT
There are no native or endemic Trout in New Zealand, they have all been introduced and seeded in years gone by. The Rainbow and Brown Trouts are the most common.
TROUT - TARAUTE
There are no native or endemic trout in New Zealand. They were first introduced in the late 1800s as game fish by early settlers. A licence is required to catch trout administered by Fish and Game NZ who also seed the rivers and lakes with fresh stocks.
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RAINBOW TROUT
Introduced in the late 1800s the Rainbow trout are prized by anglers for their beautiful colourings. Distinguished by its silver colour with olive shades on its back covered in small black spots with soft pink markings on its sides. The fish are usually 1-3kg.
Scientific name: Oncorhynchus mykiss
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BROWN TROUT
Brown trout are native to Europe and were first introduced into New Zealand in the late 1860s. More widespread than Rainbow trout but prized by anglers as they are considered harder to catch.
Scientific name : Salmo trutta
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BROOK CHAR
First introduced into New Zealand in the late 1870s, the Book char is a native of North America. Not as widely established as Rainbow or Brown trout but found in several central north islands rivers and particular south island locations such as Lake Emily near Ashburton. Their bodies are generally dark with a lighter marbling pattern.
Scientific name: Salvelinus-fontinalis
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TIGER TROUT
The Tiger trout is a cross between the Brown trout and Brook Char. Since the two-parent trout were never native to the same location, the only natural stream-born Tiger trout have been found in waterways where both species have been introduced.
Lake Rotoma in the Bay of Plenty is the only location where Tiger trout are found.
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