The trout generally spawns in the end of October, when the lower jaw of the male becomes elongated but not so much as in the salmon. The spawn is deposited in the same manner as that of the salmon, in gravelly beds, in running streams; and the trout of lakes ascend streams for this purpose. Where trout have no access to proper spawn ing-ground, recourse must be had to artificial means to increase the stock (see Pisci ctinrunk); but in many small streams their numbers seem incapable of being diminished by any amount of angling. The best feeding-grounds are often where there is no good spawning-ground within reach of the fish. The trout grows rapidly when it has abun dant food. From instances of individuals kept iu wells and ponds, it is known to attain an age of 30 or even 50 years.
Among the varieties of the common trout, one called the GILLAROO TROUT is found in lough Neagh and other lakes of the n. of Ireland. It, attains a large size, is very thick in proportion to its length, and has much smaller teeth than the ordinary trout.
The LOCIILEVEN TROUT (sulfa° Levenensis or S. wafer) is found in Lochleven in Scot land, where the common trout is also found, and is distinguished from it by the inure pointed pectoral fins; the much longer rays of the tail-fin, which is also more pointed at its extremities; and particularly by the number of the meal appendages, which are from 60 to 80 in the Lochleven trout, while they do not exceed 46 in the common trout. The flesh of the Lochleven trout is not white or pink, but red. It attains a large size.
The GREAT LAKE TROUT (salmo ferox) is the only other British species. It is found in some of the larger British and Irish lakes, and in the lakes of Scandinavia, seldom, if ever, ascending rivers, except for a short distance at the spawning season. It attains a size of almost 30 lbs., is a very powerful, active fish, and tiles the skill of the angler in no small degree. It differs from the common trout in the longer muzzle, in the posi tion of the fins, in having the tail square in all stages of growth, and in other characters. Its color is generally deep purplish brown, passing into greenish or grayish yellow oa the belly. The spots are large, and not numerous. The great lake trout feeds 11111C.L on small fishes, and is as greedy as a pike. It is taken by night-liues, or by trolling wi,a strong tackle and a small trout or other small fish f'or bait. Young fish are taken wi.a
the artificial fly. The flesh of this species is very inferior in quality to that of the co rrmon trout.—Very different from it is the LAKE Tnour of the lake of Geneva (tram ) or fario Lemanus), which is a fish of excellent quality, and nearly allied to the salmon tro it. See SALMON. It ascends the rivers which fall into the lake, as the salmon trout ascends rivers from the sea.
North America has numerous species of trout. One of them, the COMMON BROOK. TROUT, or SPECKLED TROUT (salmo fontinalis), is so similar to the common trout Britain, that it may also be regarded as a variety rather than as a distinct species. It abounds in the streams of Canada and the more eastern British provinces, and in C.:: northern and middle parts of the United States.—The NORTE( AMERICAN LAKE TOO (salmo confinis) inhabits the deepest waters of the great lakes, and sometimes weight of more than 60 lbs. It is dark-colored, mottled with grayish spots. Its fles:, i; dirty yellow, and of very poor quality. It never takes the fly, but may be caught w: !t. the minnow, or a bait of fat pork. It is more sluggish than its congeners, and affo:•(1; poor sport to the angler. There are several species of lake trout in North Amerie i. The finest in quality, as well as largest in size, is the MACKINAW TROUT or NAMA.ECIII:I (Salmo amethystus or namaycush). It is not found in lake Erie, nor in lake Ontario. but in lake Huron, lake Superior, and the more northern lakes, even in those of the aretia regions. It inhabits the deepest parts of them, except in autumn, when it resorts to shallow water for spawning.—The SISKIWIT TROUT (salmo or solar siscowet) of lake Superior is of large size, stout, thick, and of rich flavor, but so fat as to be almost milt for food.—The RED-BELLIED TROUT (salmo or fario erythrogaster) of the lakes of New York and Pennsylvania; sometimes 2+ ft. in length, is deep greenish on the back, lighter on the sides, which are spotted with red, the belly orange red.
The n.w. of America has its own peculiar species of trout, one of which, the OREGON TROUT (salmo Oregonensis), is found in almost every stream from the snowy peaks of the Rocky mountains to the sea, and is very similar to the common trout of Europe.