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Rainbow trout or steelhead as they are referred to in the Great Lakes are not a native species to NY waters. They were introduced to NY waters from the Pacific Coast sometime around 1870. Rainbow trout like the brown trout are able to tolerate warmer water than native trout and quickly became popular through out the state.
The Steelhead in Lake Ontario are raised at the Salmon River Hatchery, located in the Village of Altmar in Oswego County. It is here that the DEC will collect the eggs of the spawning steelhead trout. The Salmon River Hatchery produces about four million trout and salmon each year. It was hoped that the steelhead would start reproducing in sufficient numbers to sustain the population. Although some natural reproduction does occur it is not enough to maintain a stable fishery so they are still stocked by the state of NY.
Rainbow trout are able to survive in ponds, streams, rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. In streams and rivers they seldom get much bigger than 5 pounds. Larger lakes and reservoirs can produce fish up to 20 pounds. The NY state record rainbow trout was broken by Rob Wilson of Tallmadge, Ohio on August 14, 2004. Rob was fishing out of Olcott, NY when he caught the fine specimen that weighed an amazing 31 lb, 3 oz and was 39 inches long. The girth of the fish was 26 inches. The fish is now the new state record, beating out the previous mark set by Gerald Szmania from Lake Ontario on May 22, 1985. Lake Ontario produces steelhead trout over 20 pounds every year and it is only a matter of time till the record is broken again.
Rainbow trout spawn in the spring but will often start to migrate up the streams in late fall and early winter. Arriving after the salmon they will feed on the left over salmon eggs. This creates a fantastic fishing opportunity for NY anglers. A 10 pound steelhead hooked on a noodle rod with 2,4 or 6 pound test can really give an angler a test of his fishing skills. Strong hard runs and acrobatic leaps are what keeps this fish at the top of the anglers list.
Rainbow trout will feed on a variety of items. In streams they will feed on nymphs, worms, snails, crayfish and other small fish species. They will feed on a variety of insects including mayflies, caddisflies, and stoneflies when they are available. In the larger lakes they feed mostly on smelt and alewives. This is why they grow to such large sizes in the lakes.
In the Streams and rivers steelhead may be enticed to hit a variety of baits. Egg sacs or plastic imitation eggs are among the most common used. Sponge in various colors can also be very productive. Artificial flies and streamers will also entice fish to strike. Major Lake Ontario tributaries having steelhead runs include the Salmon River, Oswego River, Genesee River, Black River, Niagara River, Oak Orchard Creek and Eighteen Mile Creek.
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