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Salvelinus confluentus, Suckley, 1859
One can find large bull trout population in Upper priest lake Idaho in addition to other types like Kokanee, Cutthroat Trout, and Lake trout. The lake is located 118 miles away from Spokane, and it takes around three hours travel by car to reach the place. Usually, people who visit Washington can reach the lake by taking six-hour travel. The lake is surrounded by the thick panhandle national forest with the priest river flowing through which provides water for the lake. Boat fishing alone is allowed here, and people use a canoe, kayak type boats for fishing.
Types of fish that can be found
Bull trouts are found in abundance also at the Crater Lake National park in Oregon. Surrounded by extinct volcanic cliffs and coniferous forests, the snow of the peaks melt and provide the waters for the lake in summer. Any boat fishing using motor/private boats are not allowed here; however, shore fishing is permitted.
Type of fishing that can be done at the location
Since it is an endangered species, usually most lakes insist catch and release and do not allow harvest. That is why intensive fishing techniques like net fishing/motorboat fishing are not allowed, and shore fishing alone is permitted in most US locations which stock bull trouts.
On average, the fish grows up to 24.6 inches (62.5 cm) and record growth of 103cm was reported once. It is a slow-growing variety, and it takes nearly 4-7 years for the young fish to mature into an adult one. It lives for nearly 12 years, and a well-grown adult fish can weigh from 10-12 Kg, the maximum reported being around 14.5 Kg.
Bull trouts are native of Canada and the US, that is why one can easily spot them along numerous freshwater lakes and rivers in Northwestern North America. Their range is from Alaska to Northern California where these thrive in Missouri river drainages in the mountain as well as the coastal streams. Besides their sea range is from Arctic waters to Pacific waters. Most of the population is confined to Montana, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington with small numbers in Northern Nevada.
These thrive well in clean freshwater, and that is why they are hugely populated in rivers and lakes. These prefer cold waters and hence found in deep pools near glaciers/ snowy mountains where the waters will be cold. Like most other types of fishes, these migrate to oceans and return to streams for reproduction. It is easy to spot juvenile fishes in cold water springs and water bodies where the flow is influenced by groundwater.
The younger ones primarily feed on small aquatic invertebrates till the completion of the first year of their life cycle. Once the younger ones mature, they start consuming other fish types like whitefish, sculpins, darters, trout, and salmon. Anglers commonly use minnow which imitates crankbaits in addition to spoons and spinners. Various types of flies like mottled sculpins, double bunnies, bead-head wooly buggers, black stoneflies, and rubber-head wooly buggers are used as lures to attract these.