Ohrid trout

What it is

The Ohrid trout, known scientifically as Salmo letnica, is an endemic fish found in Lake Ohrid and the Black Drin river. It belongs to the brown trout complex, though genetic evidence supports its status as a separate species for conservation. Locally, it is called ohridska pastrmka in Macedonian and Koran or Korani in Albanian. The fish is noted for its flavour, described as similar to a cross between a brown trout and Atlantic salmon. It appears on the reverse of the Macedonian two denars coin issued in 1993.

Where it lives

This trout is native to Lake Ohrid, which sits on the border of North Macedonia and Albania. It also inhabits the lake's tributaries and the Black Drin river, which serves as the lake's outlet. The species is endemic to this specific region, meaning it is not found naturally anywhere else. Some populations have been introduced elsewhere, such as Vlasina Lake in Serbia during the mid-twentieth century, and various reservoirs in the United States, including Colorado, Minnesota, Tennessee, and Wyoming, though most of these introductions failed to establish self-sustaining populations.

How it lives

The Ohrid trout exhibits complex behavioural patterns with up to four intralacustrine forms that are reproductively isolated. These forms breed in different areas and at different times of the year, ranging from October to July. For example, one form breeds in the lake outlet from October to January, while another spawns near eastern shore springs from May to July. In the wild, they face pressure from extensive fishing. Illegal fishing and overfishing have driven the population toward extinction, prompting government interventions like fishing bans in North Macedonia from 2004 to 2014.

Breeding and life cycle

Breeding habits vary among the different forms of the Ohrid trout. Salmo balcanicus breeds in the northwest end of the lake from October to January. Salmo lumi and Salmo letnica both spawn in January and February, with the latter breeding in general lake areas. Salmo aphelios breeds from May to July near springs on the eastern shore. In translocated populations, such as in Vlasina Lake, natural spawning has faced challenges due to water level variations caused by hydroelectric plant operations, leading to reliance on artificial spawning programs.

Fish and people

The Ohrid trout is a culinary specialty in Macedonian and Albanian gastronomy, used in soups and other dishes. Its popularity has led to significant fishing pressure. Conservation efforts include a fishing ban imposed by the Macedonian government from 2004 to 2014. In Albania, laws prohibit fishing only during the spawning period. The fish holds cultural significance, depicted on the Macedonian two denars coin. Translocation attempts in Serbia and the United States aimed to expand its range, but these were largely unsuccessful or required ongoing artificial support.

Status and threats

The Ohrid trout is considered near threatened due to overfishing and habitat pressures. Extensive fishing has pushed the species to the verge of extinction. Conservation activities are underway, including government-imposed fishing bans in North Macedonia. In Albania, restrictions are limited to the spawning season. Illegal fishing continues to threaten dwindling populations. The taxonomic controversy within the brown trout complex complicates management, but genetic distinctness supports specific conservation strategies for this endemic group.

Questions people ask about Ohrid trout

Good reading and sources

• Ohrid trout on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data