Trout are members of the salmon family and exist in over twenty different sub-species. Though several of these species are edible, rainbow trout and brook trout may be the most commonly consumed.
Cooking Trout
Rainbow trout, though caught wild, are part of a substantial fish farming industry. The taste of the fish varies based on the location of their habitat and the fish's diet. Trout that eat shrimp and crayfish are considered the tastiest.
Like other cold water fish, trout is commonly baked or grilled. Barbecued trout in the summer is popular, as spicy and sweet sauces complement the nutty, earthy taste of most trout.
Trout Conservation
Several steelhead trout species are in decline. According to the National Marine Fisheries Service, the decline is due both to overfishing and natural sedimentation of bodies of freshwater. Several hatchery programs have been initiated to attempt to keep trout and cold water fish populations high.
