Salmo trutta

Habitat & Distribution

This is the only native species of trout in Britain. It is a widely distributed anadromous species, found predominantly in northern and south-western England, Wales, Scotland and the Scottish islands. They are also present in the rivers and chalk streams of the south coast of England. They are found throughout Cornwall where they require clean, well-oxygenated flowing waters with mainly cobble and gravel substrates. Areas with abundant cover, provided by the substrate, undercut banks and aquatic vegetation, are favoured. Adult trout also require holding areas to provide refuges on their migration upstream to spawn. They are also occasionally caught in the open sea around Cornwall by anglers and in nets set for other fish species. This species is intolerant of pollution, affected by habitat degradation, over-extraction of water and impeded access to their spawning grounds. It is protected under the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act (1974) and is on the UK List of Priority Species.