There are all kinds of trout that are found all over North America (and the world) in freshwater rivers and streams and even a number of Seatrout found from Atlantic Canada down to the Gulf. Species include Brown, Speckled, Brook, Silver, Grey and Rainbow. The only commercially important specie however, is the Rainbow Trout, and 99.9% of all Rainbow Trout consumed in North America is farmed. Rainbow trout has been farmed since the late 1800's in North America making it one of, if not the oldest, aquaculture specie in North America. It is prevalent in grocery stores and on restaurant menus all over North America - even if it is just described as trout, it's likely Rainbow. In the US, Rainbows are almost exclusively farmed in Idaho. In Canada, Ontario makes up the majority, but they are farmed from Newfoundland right to BC. They are an excellent aquaculture species. They are hearty and resilient and can reach market size in less than a year. The market is very stable and prices rarely fluctuate significantly at all.

Rainbow trout is a colorful member of the salmon family. The skin isn't quite rainbow colored but right through the middle is a distinctive pink band. Rainbows can actually get up to 50 pounds, but market size for farmed trout is under a pound. It is very mild and delicate in flavor, far less pronounced than salmon, with an excellent moist tender flake. Flesh color may vary depending on what pigments are in the feed at the various farms. It can range from pale white to red orange. Color has no bearing on taste or texture, just aesthetics.