Interesting facts about Sea Trout
British record: 28lb 5oz
Sea trout are the sea-running form of the brown trout (Salmo trutta), a species that adopts many alternative life strategies.
Comparatively little is known about the habits of sea trout. The length of time spent at sea varies considerably among fish originating from different rivers. It is believed that most sea trout do not migrate far from the coast. Certain stocks may display preferences for certain feeding grounds.
However, in most instances, patterns of movement along the coast are thought to be highly variable. Growth is rapid in the sea. Many fish attain body weights of 0.5-1.5 kg within their first year. Older fish that have spent longer periods at sea may attain weights in excess of 5-10kg.
Sea trout feed on prey items such as small crustaceans, marine worms, sand eels, sand smelts , sprats, juvenile members of the cod family, sticklebacks, sand goby and terrestrial insects. Larger fish tend to consume larger prey items.
Survival rates in the sea vary considerably.
Like salmon, most sea trout tend to return to their native river to spawn.
A Sea Trout can live up to about twenty years (most die much younger) during which time it may return to spawn almost every year.
The tendency to long life-span and multiple annual spawning is greater in highland than lowland rivers.
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