BLUEBACK TROUT Salvelinus alpinus oquassa (Girard, 1854) 



Order: SALMONIFORMES Family: SALMONIDAE 



Distinguishing characteristics : Back dark blue, without vermiculation; anal rays 

 usually nine or ten. 



Present distribution : At least eight lakes in the head-waters of the St. John and 

 Penobscot Rivers, Northwestern Maine. 



Status : Scarce. Exact taxonomic position of this fish is unresolved. 



Estimated numbers : Unknown . 



Fecundity : No data . 



Reasons for decline : Unrestricted exploitation of the spawning runs in some localities. 

 Decline may also be related to increased populations of landlocked salmon in the 

 Rangeley Lakes . 



Protective measures already taken : Restrictive creel limit, prevention of introduction 

 of undesirable competing species in waters inhabited by blueback trout. 



Measures proposed : None . 



Number in captivity : Unknown . 



Culture potential in captivity : Unknown. (Unsuccessful, 1963) . 



Remarks : Existing populations are generally not very desirable from the angler's 

 viewpoint. Usually available for angling only in the spring and in the fall during 

 spawning season. Under present conditions, the only danger to this species would 

 be the introduction of a more successful competitor. Data submitted by the Maine 

 Department of Inland Fisheries and Game, Division of Fishery Research and Management. 



References: 



Everhart, W. H. 1958. Fishes of Maine . The Maine Department of Inland 



Fisheries and Game. Augusta. 

 and C. A. Waters. 1965. Life history of the blueback trout 



(Arctic char, Salvelinus alpinus (Linnaeus) in Maine, Trans. Am. 



Fish. Soc, Vol. 94, No. 4, p. 393-397. 

 Jordan, D. S. and B. W. Evermann . 1902. American food and game fish. 



Doubleday, Page & Co. , N.Y. 572 p. 



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