Ecological Risk Screening Summary - Ohrid Trout (Salmo letnica) - Uncertain Risk

Species that are considered uncertain risk need a more in-depth assessment beyond the Ecological Risk Screening Summary to better define the species’ risk to U.S. environments.

Salmo letnica, Ohrid trout, is a fish that is native to Lake Ohrid, on the border of Albania and North Macedonia in southeastern Europe. Overfishing, pollution, and the introduction of invasive species invasive species
An invasive species is any plant or animal that has spread or been introduced into a new area where they are, or could, cause harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health. Their unwelcome presence can destroy ecosystems and cost millions of dollars.

Learn more about invasive species have severely impacted populations in its native range. Salmo letnica has been introduced to Greece, Serbia, and several locations in the United States in attempts to establish fisheries for the species, but only the introduction to Pathfinder Reservoir in Wyoming appears to have resulted in an established population. Along with all species in the family Salmonidae, Salmo letnica is listed as an injurious wildlife species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service due to pathogen transmission risk. It is also regulated along with other salmonids in two U.S. States. The History of Invasiveness for Salmo letnica is classified as Data Deficient because there is no clear, convincing, and reliable documentation on impacts or lack of impacts of introduction of Salmo letnica. The climate matching analysis for the contiguous United States indicates establishment concern for this species; there were high climate matches across much of the interior western United States. The Certainty of Assessment for this ERSS is classified as Low due to the lack of information on impacts of introduction of this species. The Overall Risk Assessment Category for Salmo letnica in the contiguous United States is Uncertain.