Their fins have white edges. Golden trout inhabit cold mountain lakes and streams at altitudes above 6,000 feet. They have been stocked at lower elevations with moderate success.
Golden trout feed on insects, especially caddis flies and midges, and also eat small crustaceans.
Adults abandon the nest. Unlike other trout, the golden trout's parr marks persist throughout their adult life. Garibaldi are completely protected by law in California and cannot be fished. Juveniles have bright iridescent blue spots on their body. Garibaldi inhabit swirling waters along rocky reefs in the Pacific Ocean, off the California coast from Monterey Bay to Baja.