The future of the golden trout is in our hands

It is no surprise that the golden trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss aguabonita) is the official state fish of California. Despite its beauty, the future of the California golden trout is in question. Livestock grazing degrades the fragile native habitat of the state fish, while alien and invasive species like rainbow and brown trout hybridize with, and prey upon, the golden trout. Whether or not, and for how long, the golden trout can withstand the effects of other environmental stressors – climate change and climate crisis – remains to be seen, and is the focus of this project.