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

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

Ohrid Trout (Salmo letnica) is a salmonid species native to Ohrid Lake in Macedonia. This species has been stocked in U.S. waters as a game fish many times, but establishment has occurred in only one location in Wyoming. S. letnica is fished both commercially and as a gamefish. Multiple authors express uncertainty over the taxonomy of S. letnica, and also report concerns over hybridization of introduced S. letnica with native or other introduced salmonids. However, data are lacking in the published literature to support claims of harm from S. letnica hybrids. S. letnica can be infected by multiple parasites, including Gyrodactylus salaris, the etiological agent of an OIE-reportable disease. Climate match to the contiguous U.S. is high. Because of the lack of clarity on the impacts of introduction, overall risk posed by S. letnica is uncertain.