HOME / FISH & RECIPES / RAINBOW TROUT

Biology

Rainbow trout are not native to the UK, our only native trout is the brown trout (Salmo trutta). Native species of rainbow trout border the northern Pacific ocean from America to Russia but they have been introduced to many countries, including the UK.

Rainbow trout can lay their eggs almost anywhere in freshwater, which is why they are found in many places. They are also very widely farmed both as a table fish and to stock lakes and some rivers as a sport fish.

Rainbow trout are so called because they usually have a very distinct red or pink lateral line.

WHERE IS OUR RAINBOW TROUT FROM?

ChalkStream® trout farms are located on the Test and Itchen rivers in Hampshire. The farms are built on old water mills and benefit from an exceptional volume of pure chalk stream water.

This fast flow ensures the fish grow in a constant current which replicate the conditions and the natural habitat of wild river trout. Oxygen is added to the water periodically to mitigate the diurnal fluctuations in dissolved oxygen created by the vast quantities of river weed that grows in the rivers during the Spring and Summer months.

The fresh water flow through design avoids many of the environmental concerns associated with open net farming.

ChalkStream® is a member of the RSPCA Assured scheme and they work closely with the RSPCA to ensure all fish handling and harvesting procedures are maintained to the highest standards.