In 1947 the state legislature selected the golden
trout (Salmo aguabonita) as the official California State Fish. (Alternative
name: Oncorhynchus aguabonita.)
A brilliantly colored fish, the golden
trout has bright red markings on its sides, underbelly, and cheeks.
Along its spine, dorsal and
caudal fins, are large, black spots. It grows to 28 inches in length.
The golden trout was originally found only in the waters
of the Kern River in the southern San Joaquin Valley. Later it was
introduced
to mountain streams throughout the higher elevations of the Sierra
Nevada.
