They are the same species, but with different life strategies and telling them apart is not as easy as you might think. The Sea Trout is genetically very similar to the Brown Trout, but lives normally in the sea, only coming into fresh water to spawn, which is generally when fisherman catch them. WTT members will have seen an article in the Autumn newsletter describing how to tell the difference between a brown trout and a sea trout. However, the differences between sea trout and salmon are interesting to know. The brown trout (Salmo trutta) is an originally European species of salmonid fish. • Salmon has a more streamlined body than sea trout. ... February 2011 by Burren Smokehouse. It is extremely difficult to tell the difference between a salmon and sea trout. Salmon (I) can be distinguished from large sea trout (II) by a more streamlined shape, concave tail, slimmer tail wrist, upper jaw reaching no further than rear of the eye, few if any black spots below lateral line, 10-15 (usually 11-13) scales counted obliquely forward from adipose fin to lateral line – trout have 13-16. Roughly speaking, one can say that the rainbow trout is a freshwater fish, and the sea trout one that lives mainly in salt water. They take on a silver colour as their diet tends to be more shrimp and sandeel/small fish based while brown trout live on a diet of river nymphs and hatches. Brown trout. However, the species is held in very high regard by anglers. It lives in the rivers in which it spawns. Brown Trout and Angling. I know real expeerts who get confused. Sea trout and brown trout are the same species (Salmo trutta). • Salmon is a common name for several species while sea trout is the common name of one particular morph of a particular species. Length estimated at 49.5cm 19.5 inches Is it a potential 'cannibal', brown trout or a sea trout? Slob trout are brown trout that live in the lower tidal reaches. Sea Trout Depends on time of year also.When the sea trout are returning to sea after spawning they develop a brown, stale looking colour and some spots look like they are turning brown.The big difference though is they havent a golden belly, like the brown trout Brown trout is widespread and ubiquitous in Scotland, but favours cold, clean, well-oxygenated rivers and lochs. 9th February 2011 by Burren Smokehouse. In Scotland, there has been little commercial exploitation of brown trout as a food fish, either by netting or through aquaculture. Roughly speaking, one can say that the rainbow trout is a freshwater fish, and the sea trout one that lives mainly in salt water. A combination of genetics and environmental factors (principally lack of food) will mean that some trout will go to sea to feed before returning to spawn. Brown trout are my favorite looking trout to catch. What is the difference between Sea Trout and Salmon? The great Morgan and Harris book on sea trout spends some time exploring what is a sea trout and even they have no answer. Unless a person is very familiar of these fishes, it is difficult to identify them apart. Nice small brown trout. My grandfather stocked some yearling Browns in the Camel, some of which turned up as sea trout in the Fowey.. Hey ho. Their bodies are mostly brown throughout, but the way to identify a brown trout is by the black markings across their body, which are surrounded by a beautiful red hue. Difference between Rainbow and Sea Trout; Difference between Rainbow and Sea Trout. • Sea trouts have more spots on … This is called an ‘anadromous’ lifestyle.Trout also migrate within the river and… How do you tell the difference between Salmon and Sea Trout? Sea trout are brown trout that migrate in and out of salt water. To post and view all pages you must register. Despite the close relationship in their morphology and behaviours, a slightly deeper observation would give more differences between sea trout and salmon. Within these pages you will find fishing reports from various rivers (Teifi, Towy, Dovey etc), fishing tips, fly patterns, sea trout fishing advice and more from likeminded anglers.