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Vermont State Fish
Adoption of the Vermont State FishJoint Resolution R-91 of the Acts of 1978, effective on May 3, 1978, designated not one but two State Fishes: the Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) as the cold water fish, and the Walleye Pike (Stizosedion vitreum vitreum) as the warm water fish. Both are handsome, sporty and tasty game fish. The Brook Trout is the state's only trout native to its streams. Its mature weight varies considerably, depending on habitat in both cold brooks and ponds, but generally averages under a pound. The biggest Brook Trout caught in Vermont since official records began in 1969 weighed 5 lbs. 12 oz. The Walleye Pike, found in many Vermont lakes, takes its name from its unusual "marble" eyes which in certain light look very light or transparent. Its mature weight is four to eight pounds and the biggest one caught since 1969 weighed 12 lbs. 8 oz. ------- from Office of the Secretary of State, Vermont Legislative Directory and State Manual, Biennial Session, 1993-1994, p. 18. The brook trout can be recognized by the wavy lines, or vermiculations, on its dark, olive-green back (the same pattern created when the sun shines through rippled water to cast shadows on the bottom. The result is a camouflage enabling the brook trout toavoid predators from above such as kingfishers and herons. The brook trout also typically has many pale yellow spots and a few small red spots surrounded by blue halos on their sides. They've also been described as the only trout with light spots against a dark background, as the brown and rainbow trout have the opposite spotting pattern (dark spots on a paler background). The brook trout's pectoral, ventral, and anal fins are starkly edged in white, which again is unique among other common trout. The white is the main giveaway. Even when the brook is motionless, the white-edged fins will call your attention to the fish. The highly visible, white-edged fins are a definite disadvantage when it comes to the brook's predators. Another characteristic is a relatively large head and mouth, and the head may amount to one quarter of the body length on adult fish. During their fall spawning period, the lower flanks of males become brilliant orange and older males may develop a slightly hooked lower jaw. If you are still in doubt after checking all the previous characteristics, feel along the center of the mouth's roof with your fingertip. The vomerine bone has teeth in a small cluster at its forward end. If you find teeth all along the roof of the mouth, you didn't catch a "brookie". Because the brook trout is deep bodied in proportion to it's length, it can swim efficiently in water as shallow as their body depth. Their maneuverability is an asset in capturing a wide variety of foods in waters of all depths. The powerful, long run of a large rainbow or brown when first hooked is almost always absent with large brook trout, which tend to a bull-dog tugging and twisting fight near the bottom. Such a fight is part of their nature, determined in turn largely by their shape. Brook trout prefer cold, clear streams and are the most cold tolerant of all common trout. Additional Information
Cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarkii: Information about the cutthroat trout from the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology's Animal Diversity Web. Fishing in Idaho: Website of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. Cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarki: Description, life history, feeding habits, and angling techniques from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. Cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarkii: Description from the National Wildlife Foundation's eNature.com. List of State Fish: Complete listing of official state fish from NETSTATE. Trout Unlimited's Guide to America's 100 Best Trout Streams State Names, Seals, Flags, and Symbols: A Historical Guide, Third Edition - Benjamin F. Shearer and Barbara S. Shearer, Greenwood Press, 2002 State Names, Flags, Seals, Songs, Birds, Flowers and Other Symbols: A Study based on historical documents giving the origin and significance of the state names, nicknames, mottoes, seals, flowers, birds, songs, and descriptive comments on the capitol buildings and on some of the leading state histories, Revised Edition - George Earlie Shankle, Ph.D., The H.W. Wilson Company, 1938 (Reprint Services Corp. 1971)
Source: Idaho Statutes, (http://www3.state.id.us/idstat/TOC/idstTOC.html), April 14, 2007.
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: Idaho state fish
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by John Ross. Updated and revised. Paperback: 384 pages. Publisher: The Lyons Press; Rev Upd edition (June 1, 2005)