Where can I catch a California Golden Trout?
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Illustration by Steven Schalla, FlyFishingtheSierra.com, used with permission

The Golden Trout, aka the “Volcano Creek Golden Trout” can be distinguished by its bright golden body. The back has a brassy or copper coloration. A bright red stripe goes through the center of the body with dark purple parr marks along the lateral line. The belly is usually a deep crimson and the pelvic, anal, and dorsal fins are orange and yellow with white tips.

Compared to the Little Kern Golden, the “Volcano Creek” Golden is more brightly colored and has fewer spots.

The Golden Trout is officially the “state fish” of California, and has been widely stocked outside of its native range and many self-sustaining populations exist outside of the original area.  However, most stocked fish are hybridized with rainbow trout.