The Golden Trout, California's state fish, is native to the high-altitude lakes and streams of the Sierra Nevada.

The Golden Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss aguabonita) is a brilliantly colored fish endemic to the Sierra Nevada, specifically in the cold, clear waters of high-altitude lakes and streams. It thrives in these pristine environments, particularly in the Kern River Basin. Renowned for its striking golden hue with bright red lateral stripes, the Golden Trout represents the ecological and natural beauty of the Sierra Nevada. Conservation efforts have been implemented to protect this species due to habitat degradation and competition from introduced fish species.