Are Trout and Salmon the Same? (Surprising Facts!)

Are Trout and Salmon the Same

Trout and salmon are two of the most popular seafoods people eat, with each one having its own unique taste, nutritional value, and method of cooking.

You might be wondering, ‘are trout and salmon the same?’

The answer might surprise you-

Salmon and trout might seem similar at the surface, but they are technically different species of fish. Salmon is classified as a saltwater fish while trout is a freshwater fish. However, salmon and trout come from the same family.

So the difference between a salmon and a trout can be confusing since salmon start off in freshwater and mature to adulthood in saltwater before returning to freshwater to spawn.

To add even more confusion, a rainbow trout is a freshwater fish but if the rainbow trout migrates to the ocean then the fish turns into a steelhead which is sometimes referred to as ocean trout.

Now let’s take a look at the key differences between salmon and trout so you can distinguish between the two.

Trout and Salmon – What are the Differences?

Although there are a lot of similarities between trout and salmon, here are some key differences between the two fish.

Trout Characteristics

Trout is a freshwater fish that can be found in streams, rivers, and lakes.

Generally, trout have a round head and body.

Typically trout range in the 1 pound to 5 pound range but a rainbow trout has weighed in at over 48 pounds! Trout usually range from 4 to 16 inches in length.

So trout are usually a smaller fish in both weight and size.

There’s a number of different trout varieties, with some of the most popular being rainbow, brown, and steelhead trout.

rainbow trout

Here is an image of a rainbow trout that shows the rounded face of the trout as well as the typical size.

Trouts can sport different colors and appearances, with some having orange/rainbow-colored bodies while others can appear speckled.

Trout are mostly available all year round as they can withstand colder temperatures, and are loved by anglers and fishing enthusiasts all over the world.

Not to mention trout make for a tasty dish.

Salmon Characteristics

Adult salmon are saltwater fish that are found in the ocean. However, adult salmon that are going to reproduce will make a trek from the ocean back up rivers to their spawning grounds.

So salmon is one of the few fish that is born in freshwater then matures in oceanwater before returning back to freshwater to spawn.

Generally, adult salmon will have a more pointed nose called a beak and can even have a hunchback depending on the salmon species.

Salmon will weigh anywhere from 15 pounds to 100 pounds and are around anywhere from 2 feet to 4 feet in length.

So Salmon are bigger fish in both weight and size.

Like trout, salmon varieties are numerous, with some of the most popular ones being king salmon and sockeye salmon.

Here is an image of an adult pacific salmon where you can see the narrow and beak-like mouth that adult salmon develop.

Salmon colors will change over time based on their species and if they are returning back to freshwater to spawn but generally they will have pinkish-orange and red hues of color.

It’s worth noting that fishing for salmon is very different than fishing for trout.

Salmon fishing is much more difficult and can be compared to hunting where you need to know when and where to find the salmon.

However, one salmon can produce multiple salmon fish fillets for multiple delicious meals so the reward for catching a salmon is much greater than catching one trout.

Do Trout and Salmon Taste the Same?

Salmon has a more robust taste compared to trout, with unique differences depending on the species.

Generally, salmon is considered more of a delicacy while trout is more of an everyday dish.

Salmon has more fat and has a richer texture which is great for sushi. Even within salmon, there are subtleties in taste and fattiness with the different species.

For example, sockeye salmon is generally leaner and has a stronger fish flavor while king salmon has a higher fat content and richer texture.

On the other hand, trout usually has a mild fish flavor but there are some varieties of trout that have a stronger flavor.

For example, brown trout has a more distinct fish flavor while rainbow trout tends to have more subtle flavors and flakier meat.

Overall, the taste of salmon and trout will depend based on which species of fish you get and how you cook it. However, salmon tends to have a stronger flavor and have larger cuts of fish compared to trout.

Do Trout and Salmon Have the Same Nutritional Value?

The good news is that both trout and salmon are considered ‘healthy’ meats and are full of nutrients. Trout and salmon are mostly known for being rich in omega-3 fatty acids and protein; however, you get a spectrum of micronutrients such as vitamins and antioxidants as well.

A single salmon filet tends to contain 208 calories per 100 grams, which is higher compared to trout.

Both trout and salmon have high amounts of protein, you get around 20 grams of protein per 100 grams of salmon or trout.

In terms of fat, salmon has a higher fat content at 13 grams of fat per 100grams, while trout has only 6 grams of fat per 100 grams.

Both trout and salmon contain good amounts of vitamins and minerals, with trout winning this by a significant margin. You get much-needed vitamins E, D, C and A, as well as B vitamins such as niacin, riboflavin, thiamine and B12 and B6.

Trout and salmon have iron, while salmon wins the calcium and potassium department, with 9mg per 100 grams and 363mg per 100 grams, respectively.

Lastly, both have a good amount of linoleic acid, EPA, DHA and omega 3 and 6s.

So overall, both salmon and trout are nutrient-dense fishes that are great to eat in a healthy diet.

Salmon and Trout Cooking and Preparation Methods

Generally, the cooking method for trout and salmon are very similar if not the same.

However, in order to bring out the best natural flavors from both fish, here are some tips to follow.

How to Prepare Trout

Since trout has a delicate and milder flavor it can be infused with seasonings, then fried, pan-seared, baked, or grilled.

Trout pairs well with vegetable and herb combinations such as asparagus, potato, parsley, lemon, garlic, and breading as well.

It’s best to leave the skin intact while fileting trout. Remove the ribs and spine by hand, then use tweezers to take out the small bones left inside.

Once clean, you can then cook or fry the trout with the skin side down or put the trout fillet in a vacuum-sealed bag for later use.

How to Prepare Salmon

Salmon is a little less straightforward compared to trout- you’ll want to accentuate the salmon type to its maximum flavor then bake, roast, pan sear, or grill depending on your choice.

Additionally, you can use seasonings such as basil, rosemary, garlic, honey, parsley, butter, or lemon with salmon.

It’s recommended that you chop the tail and head before deboning a salmon. Also, make sure to remove all the scales and pin bones using a fork or sharp knife, and a needle nose plier or fish tweezers.

You can eat salmon skin with scales but the larger scales may become too crunchy and a choking hazard if you’re not used to them.

Once clean, salmon can be enjoyed raw, grilled on planks, or even smoked.

Final Thoughts

Trout and salmon are similar fish since they come from the same fish family. However, there are noticeable differences between trout and salmon.

Generally, trout is considered a freshwater fish whereas salmon is considered a saltwater fish. Salmon tend to be much larger than trout.

Either way, both trout and salmon make for good eats and are nutrient-dense fish that are great for any healthy diet.

Steven

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