Can be recognized by the pale yellow spots on the back and red to orange spots on the sides of the body. These trout spawn in fresh water, can live in either fresh or saltwater. They are greenish blue on upper surfaces, silvery on sides with angular or round black spots often organized into irregular patterns on back and sides, with small teeth to the back of the tongue in a large mouth that extends beyond the back of eye. Fish fresh from the sea are bluish with a silvery sheen on sides. Rainbow do not have teeth on the back of the tongue.
Males often have a pink or red band on sides.
Sea-run are usually known as steelhead and are much larger than freshwater resident fish. A fresh-water char, brook trout are not native to Alaska, all populations are the result of stocking programs years ago. They are recognized by the dark olive green color of the upper surfaces and sides. Spots on the sides are large and nearly round, often with a pale blue halo. Wavy lines are found on the dorsal fin and back, and the ventral fins usually have distinct white borders on the leading edge.