Trout: Where to Find, Nutritional Information, and More

What is trout?

Trout is a freshwater fish native to North America, Europe, and northern Asia. All trout spend their entire lives in the same lake, river, or stream except the steelhead trout. This trout mimics salmon in that it returns to the stream it was spawned in to reproduce and then returns back to the sea. Stream trout can live for nearly 10 years, while lake trout can live for decades and grow to over 50lbs. This oily fish is a common food source for bears and eagles. 

A few of the most commonly eaten varieties of trout are rainbow trout, brown trout, and lake trout. The different breeds of trout can be told apart by their color patterns. Rainbow trout have a multicolor pattern when light hits their scales, while a brown trout has brown spots on its belly. 

Popular methods of cooking trout are pan-frying, grilling, and baking. It is not recommended to eat trout raw in sushi because of possible parasites.

How is trout farmed?

Almost all of the trout sold in North America is also farmed there. Trout farming can be a relatively simple endeavor outside of the breeding process. All you need to get started is water, whether it be a small pond or a netted-off section of a lake, food, and a source of oxygen. The most popular style of breeding tank is called a raceway. A raceway is a tank that mimics a flowing stream, which also has the benefit of constantly filtering the water.

The reproduction process is the hardest part of farming trout. Trout will not breed in captivity, so the female trout are massaged so their eggs are released. They are gathered into a spawning tank where they are mixed with the sperm of a male trout after it is milked. These eggs become fertilized and hatch into fry after about a month.

It takes about 9 months for a trout to reach around 15in, which is when it is sold to a fish market. They will reach their maximum size in 2 years, which is when some farmers sell their fish.

When is trout in season?

The best time to find fresh trout in the supermarket is in the spring or fall. These are the times of year trout are the most active and easiest to catch. Trout aren’t very active in the winter and sometimes can only be caught by ice fishing. In the summer, they retreat to the deepest waters to avoid the heat. 

What is the nutritional value of trout?

Trout is a tasty oily fish packed full of nutrients. A 3.5oz serving of rainbow trout contains:

• 119 calories
• 0g of carbohydrates
• 3.5g of fat
• 21g of protein
• 106% of the recommended daily intake (RDI) of vitamin D
• 74% of the RDI of vitamin B12
• 27% of the RDI of vitamin B3
• 27% of the RDI of phosphorus
• 18% of the RDI of selenium
• 14% of the RDI of potassium
• 8% of the RDI of magnesium and manganese

Not only is trout loaded with all of these vitamins and minerals, but it has a 3:1 ratio of omega-3 fatty acids to omega-6 fatty acids. Trout also contains some of the lowest mercury levels on average out of all commonly eaten fish.

What should I look for when buying trout?

When you are buying trout in the store, it will usually be sold whole, but the larger lake trout will be sold as filets. Don’t be frightened by having to buy a whole trout; it is very easy to handle. To make sure the fish is fresh, its eyes should be clear, it shouldn’t be slimy, and it shouldn’t have a strong fishy odor. Filets should have a bright white color and should be firm. 

If you want your groceries delivered, you can easily shop for trout via Instacart. After adding a product to your cart, use the “Instructions” option to notify your Instacart shopper about any preferences or specific directions on how to choose the best products. Shop for trout.

How to store trout

After you purchase trout from the store, the first thing to do when you get it home is to rinse it off. Once it is rinsed, dry it with paper towels, wrap it in plastic, and put it on ice in the refrigerator. This process is the same whether it is a whole fish or a filet. Use the trout as quickly as possible so it doesn’t spoil. 

How to tell if trout is bad

There are a few ways to tell if your trout has gone bad. A strong fishy odor is the first sign that the trout has spoiled. The color of the skin changing from bright and shiny to dull and even slimy is another sign. If you have a whole fish, check the eyeballs. If they are opaque instead of clear, the trout is reaching the end of its lifespan. If your fish has any of these signs, it is time to throw it out.

What can I substitute for trout?

If a recipe calls for a specific breed of trout like rainbow trout, any other type of trout will be the best possible substitute. If you can’t find any trout at all at the store almost any other whitefish will work just fine. Some of the best substitutes are flounder, grouper, and tilefish. 

How to find fresh trout near you

Trout is one of the most commonly fished for and eaten fish in the country, and you can find it at the seafood counter at any grocery store. When you have a taste for trout, order it online via Instacart and choose same-day grocery delivery at checkout. You can even schedule delivery for a future date.

Instacart

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