Species: Salvelinus confluentus

Bull Trout
Species

    Resident adults are 15-30 cm in length whereas migratory adults commonly exceed 60 cm (see Rieman and McIntyre 1993).

    Science Review:

    Articles:

    The role of estuaries in the ecology of adult Pacific salmon and trout in Puget Sound

    The extensive loss or modification of estuaries throughout Puget Sound creates a significant challenge for adult salmon as they migrate to their natal streams to spawn. A 2024 report by University of Washington scientist Thomas Quinn looks at how different species of salmonids use estuaries to move from marine to freshwater environments. The report was commissioned by the University of Washington Puget Sound Institute with funding from the Environmental Protection Agency's National Estuary Program.

    Report cover with text and image of salmon swimming underwater.
    The role of estuaries in the ecology of juvenile Pacific salmon and trout in Puget Sound

    This overview describes the different ways that juvenile Pacific salmon and trout use estuaries, and why those differences are important for ecosystem recovery efforts. The report was commissioned by the University of Washington Puget Sound Institute with funding from the Environmental Protection Agency's National Estuary Program.

    Aerial view of Puget Sound showing multiple rivers and inlets. The text reads ‘The role of estuaries in the ecology of juvenile Pacific salmon and trout in Puget Sound’ by Thomas P. Quinn from the School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington.
    Good news for bull trout in the Elwha

    Bull trout appear to be thriving in nearly every section of the Elwha River. Populations there have at least doubled in the years since dam removal, signaling good news for a species that has struggled throughout the West. We bring you part six of our series 'Returning home: The Elwha's genetic legacy.'

    Underwater view of a single fish with red and white spots swimming above rocks
    Returning home: The Elwha's genetic legacy

    Following dam removal, migratory salmon have been free to swim into the upper Elwha River for the first time in 100 years. Their actual behaviors and reproductive success may well be driven by changes in their genetic makeup. Our seven-part series 'Returning home' examines how the fish are doing and whether the Elwha's genetic legacy remains intact. 

    View of the Elwha River above the site of the former Glines Canyon Dam in 2021. Photo: Sylvia Kantor
    2014 state of salmon in watersheds executive summary

    This report documents how Washingtonians have responded to the challenges of protecting and restoring salmon and steelhead to healthy status. It also serves as a tool to summarize achievements, track salmon recovery progress through common indicators, and identify data gaps that need to be filled.

    2014 state of salmon in watersheds report cover
    2012 state of salmon in watersheds executive summary

    Salmon recovery demands both dedication among people with different interests, and sustained resources. This biennial report tells the story of the progress made to date and the challenges ahead.

    2012 State of Salmon in Watersheds Executive Summary report cover
    Salmonids in Puget Sound

    Fish in the family Salmonidae (salmon, trout, and charr) play potentially integral roles in the upland freshwater, nearshore and pelagic marine ecosystems and food webs of Puget Sound.

    Chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta). Image courtesy U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
    Kingdom
    Animalia
    Phylum
    Craniata
    Class

    Actinopterygii

    Order

    Salmoniformes

    Family

    Salmonidae

    Genus

    Salvelinus

    Classification
    Other Global Common Names
    omble à tête plate
    Informal Taxonomy
    <p>Animals, Vertebrates - Fishes - Bony Fishes - Salmon and Trouts</p>
    Formal Taxonomy
    Animalia - Craniata - Actinopterygii - Salmoniformes - Salmonidae - Salvelinus - .

    Resident adults are 15-30 cm in length whereas migratory adults commonly exceed 60 cm (see Rieman and McIntyre 1993).

    Short General Description
    A fish (trout).
    Habitat Type Description
    Freshwater
    Migration
    <p>true - true - false - Two distinct forms, resident and migratory, exist throughout the range (Rieman and McIntyre 1993). Migratory form migrates between spawning and nonspawning habitats; migrates upstream to spawning areas in spring. Anadromy has not been documented but may have been important in the past (see Rieman and McIntyre 1993).</p>
    Non-migrant
    true
    Locally Migrant
    true
    Food Comments
    Eats terrestrial and aquatic insects, macrozooplankton, mysids, and fishes. Young feed heavily on aquatic insects. Adults feed principally on fishes, but have also been known to eat other small vertebrates, including frogs, snakes, mice, ducklings, etc. (Moyle 1976).
    Reproduction Comments
    Spawns in late summer or fall, with falling temperatures between 5 C and 9 C. Eggs hatch in late winter or early spring. Fry emerge from gravel in April or May. Most information indicates that sexual maturity is attained in 5-7 years (also reported as 4-5 years). May spawn each year or in alternate years. Spawning populations may comprise four or more year classes, though one or two year classes may dominate. See Rieman and McIntyre (1993).
    Ecology Comments
    Resident and migratory form live together but whether they represent a single population or separate populations is unknown (Rieman and McIntyre 1993). <br><br>Vigorous populations may require abundant fish forage (Rieman and McIntyre 1993). <br><br>Available information indicates that bull trout and other native fishes use different resources, reducing direct competition (Rieman and McIntyre 1993).
    Length
    90
    NatureServe Global Status Rank
    G3
    Global Status Last Reviewed
    2003-03-19
    Global Status Last Changed
    1996-09-12
    Conservation Status Map
    <img src="http://www.natureserve.org/explorer/servlet/GetMapGif?CA.AB=S3&CA.BC=S3&CA.NT=S2&CA.YT=S3&US.AK=SNR&US.CA=SX&US.ID=S3&US.MT=S2&US.NV=S1&US.OR=S3&US.WA=S3" alt="Conservation Status Map" style="width: 475px; height: auto;" />
    Global Range
    G - 200,000-2,500,000 square km (about 80,000-1,000,000 square miles) - G - North-south distribution in coastal and montane areas of Pacific Northwest between about 48 and 61 degrees N latitude, north to the Yukon and Liard river drainages in northern British Columbia and adjacent Yukon Territory (Haas and McPhail 1991); occurs in most drainages on both sides of Continental Divide (Lee et al. 1980). Coastal and mountain streams of Arctic, Pacific, and Missouri River drainages from extreme southern Yukon through western Canada Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Oregon to the headwaters of Columbia River drainage in northern Nevada (Jarbridge River distinct population segment) and (formerly) the McCloud River drainage below Lower Falls in California (extirpated in California); locally common, rare in southern part of range; in the United States, extirpated from most of the large rivers that historically were occupied (California DF&G 1990, Page and Burr 1991).<br><br>Klamath River population segment occurs in south-central Oregon (USFWS 1997). Columbia River population segment occurs in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia (USFWS 1997).
    Global Range Code
    G
    Global Range Description
    200,000-2,500,000 square km (about 80,000-1,000,000 square miles)
    ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.106067