Rainbow trout are, by far, the most popular cold-water species amongst anglers in California. They are the most widely distributed native trout form and are found on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada in waters draining to the Pacific Ocean. In addition to the existing populations of wild, naturally-spawning rainbow trout in California, CDFW hatcheries raise and release this species and their various strains throughout the state for conservation efforts and to bolster angling opportunities.