Arizona's state fish — a small golden-yellow trout native only to the White Mountains. Rescued from near-extinction (just 30 stream miles in 1975) through partnerships with the White Mountain Apache Tribe.

Also called: Arizona Trout

Native status: Native; endangered (downlisted to threatened 2024)

§ Quick facts

SizeLength 20–35 cm (8–14 in)
Weight200–800 g
LifespanWild 5–8 years
OrderSalmoniformes
FamilySalmonidae

§ Encyclopedia

The Apache trout or Arizona trout, is a species of freshwater fish in the salmon family of order Salmoniformes. It is closely related to Gila trout and is one of the critically endangered Pacific trouts.

Source: Wikipedia — Apache trout Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Golden-yellow trout with distinct black spots and yellow-orange throat slash.

Similar species. Rainbow Trout (no throat slash; widely stocked). Gila Trout (similar but different range).

Voice. Silent.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Aquatic insects, small fish, crustaceans.

Behavior. Apache trout — Arizona's state fish. Brought back from near-extinction (only 30 stream miles in 1975) through partnerships with White Mountain Apache Tribe.

§ Range

Endemic to White Mountains, Arizona

§ Habitat

Cold high-elevation streams

§ Threats

Hybridization with rainbow trout, drought, climate-driven warming, wildfire impacts on streams.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the apache trout is currently classified as Endangered.

§ What helps

Support Apache trout recovery. Practice strict catch-and-release on native streams. Donate to White Mountain conservation.

Support our work More ways to help

§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • USFWS Apache Trout Recovery
  • Arizona Game and Fish Department
  • Trout Unlimited
  • IUCN Red List 2013