Sea Trout (Salmo trutta)
Current record: 28lb 5oz 4dr
Water: Calshot Spit, River Test
The sea trout, also known as the sea-run brown trout (Salmo trutta trutta), is a remarkable anadromous fish that spends part of its life in both freshwater and saltwater environments. This species is a migratory form of the brown trout and is found in various regions around the world, including North America, Europe, and parts of Asia. Sea trout are renowned for their captivating life cycle, which involves migration between rivers and the open sea.
The sea trout begins its life in freshwater, hatching from eggs laid in gravel beds within rivers. After spending the initial stage of their lives in freshwater, juvenile sea trout undergo a transformation known as smoltification, during which they adapt to the higher salinity of seawater. They then embark on a remarkable journey to the open sea, where they spend a significant portion of their lives before returning to freshwater to spawn.
Anglers highly prize sea trout for their size, strength, and challenging behavior, especially during their migration between saltwater and freshwater. These fish are known for their acrobatic leaps and powerful runs, providing an exhilarating experience for anglers seeking a rewarding catch. Fishing for sea trout is a popular recreational activity, and various methods, including fly fishing and spinning, are employed to target these migratory fish.
The conservation of sea trout populations involves addressing challenges faced both in freshwater and marine environments. Habitat preservation in rivers, where sea trout spawn and spend part of their lives, is crucial for the success of their life cycle. Additionally, managing factors such as water quality, fishing regulations, and the impact of human activities in both freshwater and saltwater habitats is essential for sustaining healthy sea trout populations.
Sea trout are not only significant for anglers but also play a vital ecological role. Their migration patterns contribute to the transport of marine nutrients into freshwater ecosystems, influencing nutrient cycling and supporting various organisms along their journey. Understanding the complexities of the sea trout's life cycle and implementing conservation measures are essential for ensuring the continued abundance and well-being of this iconic migratory fish.
Silvery brown trout with minute black dots are anadromous. However, as soon as they get back to freshwater, they immediately develop the typical brown trout colouring in preparation for spawning. As they make their way back to saltwater, sea trout kelts (post-spawn) transition back to their silvery stage. Brown trout can weigh between 0.5 and 2.4 kilogrammes (1.1 to 5.3 lb) and measure between 35 and 60 centimetres (14 and 24 in) in length. Breeding males will grow a kype, which is an upward-facing projection that resembles a hook. The trout's top is an olive colour with brown and black markings in freshwater, and its ventral side is tan to yellow.
Anglers and food lovers alike like eating sea trout. Depending on the rules set forth by the river authority, the close season lasts at least three months. Similar to salmon, sea trout are perpetually protected by law in the Rhine river system and the majority of German rivers (apart from a few in the north). Sea trout is protected in Schleswig-Holstein's coastal waters from 1 October to 31 December. The silver-colored fish can still be captured, but only for fish with the spawning colour (brown). In most estuaries, there is a 200-meter buffer zone around the river mouth where fishing is strictly prohibited.