The abundance of food in saltwater is one theory as to why the average steelhead grows so much bigger than rainbows do.īoth common rainbows and steelheads can, however, reach roughly the same maximum size, which would be around 45 inches in length and around 50lb in weight, though such enormous sizes seem to be extremely rare. Their average length ranges between 20 and 25 inches, while their average weight is between 4 and 8lb. Steelheads usually reach a much bigger average size than rainbows do.
The average size of a rainbow trout is 12 to 16 inches, while their average weight is between 1 and 3lb. When returning to their freshwater origins, steelheads will usually keep their silvery color for a while before once again turning darker.įOOD FOR THOUGHT: When returning to freshwater and changing back to a darker color, should steelhead still be called steelhead, or should they be called rainbow trout again? Average Size It is the steelhead’s saltwater environment that will change the fish’s body coloration. But as their diet and habitat change, so do their colors.Ī river-caught steelhead turned dark (courtesy of Justin Kroening) Let’s check them out! Body ColorationĪs fingerlings, these two fish are completely identical. Luckily, there are a few differences and features that can help you identify your trout. A steelhead is simply a rainbow trout that has left its freshwater habitat and is dwelling in saltwater environments.Īpart from that obvious difference of habitat, it’s not always all that easy to tell if what you see, or what you’ve caught is a true rainbow or a steelhead. Rainbow trout and steelhead are one and the same fish species ( Oncorhynchus mykiss).
How Can You Tell a Rainbow Trout from a Steelhead? It’s really interesting and has a ton of facts.
PRO TIP: If you want to read up on all of North America’s trout and salmon types, you should check out this detailed species guide I found on Amazon.
A rainbow trout will stay in freshwater streams while a steelhead will leave freshwater and spend a portion of its life in saltwater until returning to its freshwater spawning grounds to breed.įind out more everything about rainbows and steelhead, including how to tell them apart, why they are called steelhead, and which one of them is the better food fish. Steelhead and rainbow trout are the same species of fish but live a much different life after hatching. But are they actually two different species of fish? As I target both of these trout types myself, I wanted to find out more about the interesting topic of rainbow trout vs. Rainbow trout and steelhead are two extremely popular game and food fish.