Redband trout are a native trout, closely related to steelhead trout (which are anadromous -- or ocean going -- whereas rainbow trout remain in fresh water throughout their lives).

Redband trout are found in desert and mountain streams and rivers throughout parts of Idaho, Oregon, Nevada, and other western states -- where they are better adapted to survive high summer water temperatures than other trout species.

Because of this ability to withstand higher water temperatures, redband trout may be better able to survive global climate change -- and offer us important scientific information about how fish can adapt to changing temperature regimes.

Yet redband trout populations are fragmented and declining, due to the construction of hydropower and irrigation dams and the effects of livestock grazing that degrades stream habitat and elevates water temperatures even higher than redband trout can survive.

To preserve redband trout populations, stream habitats must be improved by eliminating or reducing public lands livestock grazing; and by reconnecting streams through removal or modification of dams and improved irrigation efficiencies.