Differences in browns

[Kevin J Legg]

Does anyone know why most brown trouts flesh is bright orange but some are whitish tan. I asked this question last year and some thought it was because some stay in the lake and others run up streams and others thought it had to do with a diet of fish vs, eggs. Any ideas.

Photo shows fillet from two different fish.

[jeb1340]

I'm going to bet that the top filet was taken from a fish that spent the winter in the creek and was probably darker in color, the one on the bottom was from a silvery fish that stayed in the lake. I think diet plays a big role in it. Bugs and crustaceans vs. emeralds and gobies. The flesh on the top one is similar in color to a brown caught out of an inland trib.

[Fish Hunter]

I've noticed lighter colored fillets, from fish that have had eel scars on 'em.

[kjb7486]

I notice differences in flesh color of lake trout caught in Keuka lake. Most are very light color and every so often I catch one with darker orange flesh. All the lake trout I catch in Seneca seem to have the darker orange color. I just figure it is diet related, but haven't been sure? I don't notice any difference in taste though.

[bandrus1]

I bet the more pink one has a higher fat content