us a flag on white wooden pole near sea during daytime

Trout USA

Trout farming in the United States is a mature aquaculture industry dominated by the rainbow trout (*Oncorhynchus mykiss*), with Idaho leading production and accounting for approximately 75% of domestic output. The industry generated $134.1 million in total sales in 2023, with $109.6 million derived specifically from food-size fish, and involves 335 rearing farms across 36 states.

Production practices primarily rely on flow-through raceways utilizing clean, cold, oxygen-rich spring water, which is critical for maintaining optimal growth temperatures between 55°F and 70°F. Fish are typically raised to market size in 9 months and are graded multiple times to ensure uniformity, with the majority of large fish sold to processors and smaller fish distributed for recreational stocking.

The industry is characterized by high sustainability due to efficient feed conversion ratios and non-consumptive water use in flow-through systems. However, producers face challenges including low-cost imports from countries like Chile and Norway, competition for water resources, and the need to manage environmental impacts such as phosphorus discharge, particularly in major production hubs like Idaho’s Snake River region.