08-04-2007, 02:44 AM
I was asked about Parr markings on another thread. I thought I would start a new thread to discuss them. Parr marks are large oval spots found on the side of juvenile trout.
Here is a link to a picture that points out the parr marks.
[url "http://www.wiscfish.org/fishid/images/large_images/568.jpg"]http://www.wiscfish.org/...large_images/568.jpg[/url]
As far as I know all juvenile trout, char and salmon have parr marks. If someone can think of a trout, char or salmon species that is present in Idaho (native or introduce) that does not have parr marks please point it out. From my experience most trout loose their parr marks by the time they are about 8" long. I have several 11"-12" rainbows that still have prominent parr marks.
Here are some examples of Parr markings on trout from Eastern Idaho and mature fish of the same species on the right side of each juvenile.
The fish on the left is a fine spotted cutthroat from Mack's Inn area of the Henry's Fork. The fish on the right is from Ririe Reservoir. I'm almost certain both were planted by the F&G or are offspring of fish planted by the F&G.
![[Image: gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=28200]](http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=28200)
These fish were both caught in the Portneuf Drainage. Notice the one on the left has very faint parr marks. The one on the right is a mature Yellowstone cutthroat.
![[Image: gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=28201]](http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=28201)
The brook trout on the left still has faint parr marks and the brook trout on the right is a mature fish.
![[Image: gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=28202]](http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=28202)
Here are a couple brown trout from the Portneuf Drainage. The one on the left has parr marks and the one on the right is a mature brown.
![[Image: gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=28206]](http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=28206)
The rainbow on the left still has parr marks. The rainbow on the right is a mature rainbow.
![[Image: gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=28204]](http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=28204)
These are a couple other rainbows. The rainbow on the left still has parr marks. The rainbow on the right is a mature rainbow.
![[Image: gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=28207]](http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=28207)
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Here is a link to a picture that points out the parr marks.
[url "http://www.wiscfish.org/fishid/images/large_images/568.jpg"]http://www.wiscfish.org/...large_images/568.jpg[/url]
As far as I know all juvenile trout, char and salmon have parr marks. If someone can think of a trout, char or salmon species that is present in Idaho (native or introduce) that does not have parr marks please point it out. From my experience most trout loose their parr marks by the time they are about 8" long. I have several 11"-12" rainbows that still have prominent parr marks.
Here are some examples of Parr markings on trout from Eastern Idaho and mature fish of the same species on the right side of each juvenile.
The fish on the left is a fine spotted cutthroat from Mack's Inn area of the Henry's Fork. The fish on the right is from Ririe Reservoir. I'm almost certain both were planted by the F&G or are offspring of fish planted by the F&G.
These fish were both caught in the Portneuf Drainage. Notice the one on the left has very faint parr marks. The one on the right is a mature Yellowstone cutthroat.
The brook trout on the left still has faint parr marks and the brook trout on the right is a mature fish.
Here are a couple brown trout from the Portneuf Drainage. The one on the left has parr marks and the one on the right is a mature brown.
The rainbow on the left still has parr marks. The rainbow on the right is a mature rainbow.
These are a couple other rainbows. The rainbow on the left still has parr marks. The rainbow on the right is a mature rainbow.
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