The golden trout is a colorful salmonid native to the High Sierras of California, transplanted into high mountain lakes all across the west. It is a western species of salmonid that resembles, in many ways, a juvenile rainbow trout.  In fact, some scientists consider it a subspecies of rainbow, while others maintain that its ability to breed true in mixed-species environments means it is a distinct species.  The differences are significant, however.  Goldens tend to live at high elevations and in pristine waters, often above 10,000 feet.  It is marked by "parr marks" - vertical black blotches that other species of salmonid lose when they transform from juvenile parr into adult trout.  The butter-gold color can be very striking.