Trout in Elwha

Bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus), are members of the char subgroup of the salmon family (salmonids), which also includes the Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma), lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) and Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus). Bull trout living in streams grow to about 4 pounds while those in lake or large river environments can weigh more than 20 pounds. Bull trout are larger than Dolly Varden, with a relatively longer and broader head. Bull trout are mainly an inland species, while Dolly Varden are more common in coastal areas. In Washington State, both species are present in the Puget Sound area.