Salmo trutta- Brown trout
Family Salmonidae-
soft rayed, has true jaw,operculum covering four gill slits, fins paired, pelvic fins present, homocercal caudal fin with spinal column extending at least part way into fin, attached adipose fin present, small ctenoid scales, no chin barbels.
1) More than 105 very small scales along lateral line. Mouth large and strong, sharp teeth apparent. Body pigmented with silver often not predominant... 2
Genera Salmo and Salvelinus
1) Fewer than 100 scales along lateral line. Body mostly silver in color. Mouth smaller, without apparent teeth or very small teeth... 5
Genus Coregonus
2) Dark spots present, well defined, scattered on back of body, dorsal fin, and caudal fin. Less than 140 scales along lateral line. Maxillary extends to or just beyond posterior edge of eye, in adults... 3
Genus Salmo
2) Dark vermiculations (worm-like markings)on back of body and dorsal fin. No dark spots. 200 or more scales along lateral line. Maxillary extends well past posterior edge of eye, in adults. 4
Genus Salvelinus
3) Large dark spots, scattered along body. Spots absent on ventral surface, top of head, and caudal fin. Red spots present on sides. No pink or reddish stripe along side of adults. Nine anal rays. Dorsal fin closer to snout.
Salmo trutta- Brown trout
3) Small dark spots, scattered along body. Red or orange spots absent. Reddish, rose, or pink colored stripe along sides of adults or large young. Ten to twelve anal rays. Dorsal fin farther from snout.
Salmo gairdneri- Rainbow trout
4) Dark vermiculations on back, dorsal fin, and caudal fin. 210 or more scales along lateral line. Spots on sides, reddish or bluish in color. Forked or squarish caudal fin.
Salvelinus fontinalis- Brook trout
4) Gray spots and vermicualtion on body. Less than 210 scales along lateral line. No bluish or reddish spots on body. Caudal fin noticeably forked.
Salvelinus namaycush- Lake trout 
5) Sharp snout, mouth terminal. 41-53 gill rakers on first branchial arch. 6
Coregonus artedii
5) Rounded snout with sub-terminal mouth. 31 or fewer gill rakers on first branchial arch. 75-80 scales along lateral line.
Coregonus clupeaformis- Lake whitefish
6) 79 or more scales along lateral line. Standard length more than 3.7 times the depth of the fish.
Coregonus artedii artedii- Great Lake cisco 
6) Less than 79 scales along lateral line. Standard length usually less than 3.7 times the depth
Coregonus artedii albus- Lake Erie cisco
Coregonus artedii- The Lake cisco, both Great Lakes and Lake Erie sub-species, live in lakes. The Lake cisco tends to live in shoal or deep and shallow parts of lakes. Eating mainly plankton and small crustaceans, the Lake cisco will migrate to an abundant food source. They are mainly found in the Great Lakes, but are sometimes found in small isolated lakes in the upper Mississippi system.
Coregonus clupeaformis- Lake whitefish inhabit for the most part lakes but are sometimes found in slow moving large rivers. They feed on crustaceans, plankton, insect larvae and molluscs. The range of these fishes is limited to the Great Lakes and some what north to the Labrador coast. Also found in the Bering Straits and very northern Canadian lakes.
Salmo gairdnieri- The Rainbow trout will thrive in streams and rivers that are cold and fast. Requiring large amounts of food, Rainbow trout feed on insects, insect larvae, molluscs, and crustaceans. Only large individuals will prey upon other smaller fishes. Sometimes Rainbow trout are known to consume eggs of other fishes. The Rainbow trout’s range is vast including most parts of the United States. Rivers and streams as well as lakes are fair game for inhabitation.
Salmo trutta- Similar to the Rainbow, the brown trout lives in cold streams and lakes. Enjoying deep pools, the Brown trout can only stand temperatures above 65° for short periods of time. Diet is similar to Rainbow.
Salvelinus fontinalis- Requiring cold and clean water the Brook trout lives similarly to the Brown and Rainbow. The brook trout, however, tends to inhabit slower moving waters than the Genus Salmo. Residing in streams, rivers, and lakes the Brook trout feeds on insects and small fishes as adults. Found in a great range including all Great Lakes, the Mississippi system, and Appalachian rivers.
Salvelinus namaycush- Living in deep cold lakes, the Lake trout feeds on small fishes, insects, crustaceans, and plankton. The range of the Lake trout is not as spread as the Brook, Brown, or Rainbow trouts. Found in northern lakes of the northern United States and Canada, in particular, the Lake trout inhabits the great Lakes, the Northern pat of the Mississippi system, as well as the St. Lawrence and Hudson rivers.
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