Steelhead trout are a unique species. Individuals develop differently depending on their environment. All wild steelhead trout hatch in gravel-bottomed, fast-flowing, well-oxygenated rivers and streams. Some stay in fresh water all their lives and are called rainbow trout. Steelhead trout that migrate to the ocean typically grow larger than the ones that stay in freshwater. They then return to freshwater to spawn. Steelhead trout are vulnerable to many stressors and threats including blocked access to spawning grounds and habitat degradation caused by dams and culverts.
Steelhead trout lacks the fatty mouthfeel of salmon, offering a more delicate flavor and flaky texture. These qualities make it equally suited as an entree on its own or in tacos, salad, or soup, and those averse to salmon’s ocean fish notes may find steelhead trout more palatable.
