Members of the Salmonidae family include Arctic char as well as brook, brown, lake, rainbow and steelhead trout.

Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) are members of the Salmonidae family which includes salmon and trout. Arctic char are found in both freshwater and saltwater in Arctic, sub-Arctic and alpine lakes and coastal waters. Char are found in the Canadian Arctic, Northern Europe and Russia. In the UK, char inhabit the deep lakes of Scotland and Ireland. In Scandinavia, char are common, and are fished extensively. The species is found In Siberia, where it is known as goletst.

The Arctic char is closely related to both salmon and trout and has many characteristics of both. Char can weigh 20 lb or more with. Many of the largest fish have been landed in Northern Canada, where they are known as iqaluk or tariungmiutaq. The most common name (char) is sometimes spelled charr.

Brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) are gray, with patterns of red, yellow and orange, topped off with cream spots and white tipped fins. They are typically smaller than other trout. On average, brook trout reach sizes of 7-12 inches, but serious anglers may achieve catches of 18 inches or more.

Brook trout are related to lake, bull and blue-backed trout, Dolly Varden and arctic char. The brook trout is also Pennsylvania's official state fish. These colorful fish are the only stream-dwelling trout native to the Great Lakes.

The brown trout is native to Europe and Asia but has been stocked successfully in the North America and other regions. Freshwater brown trout (Salmo trutta morpha) vary color from silvery with few spots and a white belly, to the typical brown fading to creamy white on the fish's belly, with medium-sized spots surrounded by lighter coloration. The silver forms of brown trout are sometimes mistaken for rainbow trout. A brown trout over 10 pounds is considered an exceptional catch. Trophy sized brown trout may exceed 30 inches in length.

On September 9, 2009, fisherman Tom Healy set a new world record for brown trout. The massive fish was 43.75 inches long, with a girth of 27 inches, and weighed a whopping 41 pounds and 7 ounces. When certified by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the fish shattered the previous state record by almost five pounds.

Brown trout prefer cold or cool streams, rivers, lakes and impoundments. The species is more tolerant of siltation and higher water temperatures than some members of the trout family. Abrown trout's optimum water temperature range is 50 to 60 degrees, although it can tolerate water temperatures in the low 70s.

Sea trout (S. trutta morpha trutta) are fish of the same species that adopt an anadromous lifestyle, migrating to the oceans for much of its life and returning to freshwater only to spawn.

Lake trout are another freshwater trout. They generally have small, light, irregular shaped spots on a silvery-to-dark background although color can vary considerably depending on seasons and local conditions. Male and female lake trout are similar, with males having a slightly longer and more pointed snout. Lake trout can be distinguished from other char species by the absence of pink spots and their deeply forked tail. The flesh of lake trout is typically creamy white to deep orange. They average one to three pounds, but trophy fish topping 25 pounds are possible.

Lake trout belong to the "char" sub-group of salmonine fishes; distinct from the "true" trout and salmon. They are closely related to Dolly Varden, brook trout, and Arctic char.

Lake trout were originally found in most Northern lakes larger than 50 acres, including the Finger Lakes, Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, Lake Champlain, Lake George, and many Adirondack lakes. Despite their recognition as a top lake predator,lake trout populations in most Eastern lakes are in decline. Great Lakes lake trout were completely eliminated from Lakes Erie and Ontario due to invasive sea lamprey predation during the last century. Despite 30 years of stocking efforts, self-sustaining lake trout populations have not been successfully re-established.

In spring, when lake waters are cold, trout can be found near the surface and along the shoreline. As the season progresses, lake trout are caught deeper and eventually prefer to feed beneath the thermocline by mid-season. Anglers use bright spinners or spoons from shore along streams. Trolling slowly in cool, deep waterways and along rocky drop offs often produces catches of lake trout. Lake trout are also caught thru the ice in winter, using baits such as ciscoes or live minnows. Ice fishermen also employ ice-fishing jigs or spoons for lake trout.

Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) are one of the most respected and sought after game fish of North America. Rainbow trout occur as both freshwater resident and sea-run races. These colorful trout are native to western North America from the Aleutian Islands to northern Mexico, but have been widely introduced to waters throughout North America and the rest of the world. A typical life cycle of this species begins with a stream for spawning followed by a larger body of water for maturation.

Rainbow trout are voracious feeders willing to strike a wide variety of lures, baits, and flies. Weighted spinners and wobbling spoons are preferred by many anglers. Fly fishermen often use streamers, muddlers, egg patterns and other lures for catching these magnificent fish.

Both wild and farmed rainbow trout are popular in Western cuisine. The flesh of rainbow trout is fine grained with a mild but distinctive flavor. Wild rainbow trout have a reputation as being the best tasting. Red, pink or orange meat indicates either a steelhead or a farmed rainbow trout given a supplemental diet to affect flesh color.

Sea-going rainbow trout, known as steelhead, are anadromous: they return to their original hatching ground to spawn. Steelhead survive after spawning, usually returning to the ocean to start the cycle once again. Steelhead meat is said to be more flavorful than meat of both wild and farmed freshwater rainbow trout.

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