While backpacking in the White Cloud Mountains this September we camped at Scoop Lake. While fishing that lake 3 of the four members of our group saw what appeared to be black trout over a period of 2 days. These fish were jet black, no other detectable color. They were not numerous, we saw occasional singles and two together only once. We have no pictures as we did not manage to catch any of them nor get a picture of them swimming. I did an internet search and found some pictures of other black trout but no explanation of why they were black. I am curious to know if you are aware of these trout in Idaho and if my guess they are just exhibiting melanism is accurate. Thank you for a reply.
Best regards,
Irv Berlin
Answer:
The only species of fish we've stocked in Scoop Lake are rainbow trout. We've heard reports of brook trout also being in that system - which is not surprising considering they been stocked in many locations throughout the White Clouds prior to modern times.
Skin pigment varies in fish just like it does in humans. Sometimes the coloration changes are genetic (parents possessed a dark-color gene) other times the color variation is in response to environment factors (more sun - usually the darker the skin pigment). In the case of Scoop Lake, it is probably a combination of the two factors.
Answered on:
Monday, October 20, 2014 - 11:23 AM MDT