At one time, bull trout were common to all the major river systems flowing from the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains as far as Alberta's prairie and parkland. When anglers began stocking streams with new species in the early 1900s, many saw bull trout as unwanted predators that fed on the more favored species.
Species Appearance
Bull trout can weigh up to 10 kg and measure 30-70 cm in length. The name was inspired by the large head and jaws in comparison to its body. The key to identifying this species is the absence of black spots on the dorsal fin.
Insects and other fish species, especially mountain whitefish.
Risks to the Specie
Over fishing, lack of appropriate spawning streams. Alberta has limited numbers of the clean, sediment-free, groundwater-fed streams bull trout need to spawn. Any alteration that causes erosion, increased silt, or changes in flow or temperature affects the number of trout that hatch and their ability to survive to maturity.
Species Lifespan
The Bull Trout can live for up to 20 years.
