The golden trout or California golden trout (O. mykiss aguabonita) is a sub-species of the rainbow trout native to California. It closely resembles the juvenile rainbow trout. The golden trout is native to Golden Trout Creek (tributary to the Kern River, Volcano Creek (tributary to Golden Trout Creek), and the South Fork Kern River. Another variant, Little Kern golden trout (O. m. whitei), was historically found only in the Little Kern River but is now found in other nearby creeks, as well. The golden trout was designated the state fish of California in 1947.
The golden trout has golden flanks with red, horizontal bands along the lateral lines on each side and about 10 dark, vertical, oval marks (called "parr marks") on each side. Dorsal, lateral and anal fins have white leading edges. In their native habitat, adults range from 6–12 in (15–30 cm) long. Fish over 10 in (25 cm) are considered large. Golden trout that have been transplanted to lakes have been recorded up to 11 lb (5 kg) in weight. The world record golden trout was caught by Charles S. Reed, on August 5, 1948, from Cook Lake in the Wind River Range. That fish was 28 in (70 cm) long and weighed 11.25 lb (5.1 kg).
