BLUEBACK TROUT 



Salvelinus oquassa (Girard) 



The blueback trout was originally distributed in western Maine. In the past 

 they were very plentiful in the Rangeley Lakes. These fish were thought to have 

 become extinct in the Rangeley Lakes in the early 1900's. Although the Maine 

 Survey failed to take the blueback trout from the Rangeley Lakes they are now 

 being reported and identified from Rainbow Lake, Red River District and the 

 Munsungun Lake area. 



Past accounts of the blueback trout report them as rarely being seen during 

 most of the year. They appeared each year about the middle of October and 

 migrated into streams to spawn. At this time, since they usually spawned in 

 shallows not too far from the lakes and apparently in great numbers, they were 

 removed in huge quantities by nets and spearing. Reports indicating the number 

 taken range from bushels to cartloads. 



While over fishing must have had some importance in the great decline of 

 the blueback in the Rangeley Lakes district some workers contend that the de- 

 cline of the blueback population coincided with the great increase in the salmon 

 population. They attribute the status of the blueback trout to predation by the 

 landlocked salmon. 



Interest in the blueback trout was renewed in the summer of 1948 when a 

 fisherman sent an "unusual" appearing trout to the University for identification. 

 The fish was identified as the blueback trout. Since that time several more speci- 

 mens have been received. 



Although past records on size indicate that the bluebacks were small with 

 the adults running from 6 to 9 inches present 4 year old fish are averaging 12 

 inches in length and 1 ounces in weight. 



During the most of the year the fins are a salmon color with the belly 

 slightly tinged. As the spawning season approaches the fins and the belly be- 

 come red making a very striking fish. 



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