The golden trout is commonly found at elevations from 6,890 feet (2,100 m) to 10,000 feet (3,000 m) above sea level, and is native to California's southern Sierra Nevada mountains. The golden rainbow is a color variant of the rainbow trout. The golden trout should be distinguished from the similarly named golden rainbow trout, also known as the palomino trout. Golden trout that have been transplanted to lakes have been recorded up to 11 pounds (5.0 kg). Fish over 12 inches (30 cm) are considered large. In their native habitat, adults range from 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 cm) long. Dorsal, lateral and anal fins have white leading edges. The golden trout has golden flanks with red, horizontal bands along the lateral lines on each side and about 10 dark, vertical, oval marks (called 'parr marks') on each side.
aguabonita instead is listed as a full species. aguabonita as an independent species rather than as subspecies of O. FishBase and the Catalog of Fishes however now (2014) list O.
