Rainbow or steelhead?

[Amx]

Lunch.

[riverhunter]

It's a rainbow and to be more specific a steelhead. Steelhead are rainbows just the searun version of a rainbow. Wdfw considers steelhead as searun rainbows 20" or greater. That fish has the look of a searun trout especially if caught in a creek. It is rare to see resident rainbows in creeks over 14". They do exist bigger but very rare

[Eglseder]

My first impression is a resident bow or maybe a smolt escapee that decided to stay in the river. Hard to say, really.

[riverhunter]

My first impression is a resident bow or maybe a smolt escapee that decided to stay in the river. Hard to say, really.

It is hard to say but looks a lot more like a steelhead. What makes me think that is the silvery shine on it. Steelhead get that chrome color to better suit them for life in the ocean. The other thing that I think might give it away is it's jaw being past the eye. Most resident rainbows don't get that although some might. The last thing is that things looks to be at least pound if not a couple. Definitely not an escapee as the adipose fin is still intact. Either way it's a beautiful fish and technically a rainbow whether searun or not

[jonb]

My vote is steelhead. As others have mentioned, resident trout in coastal rivers usually don't get that big. Nice fish!

[Matt]

Do you have a photo of the tail?

[rseas]

Wild and a hen? Looks like she may have just spawned. A kelt heading back to sea.