Sea trout classes among Salmonidae (family salmons and trouts) and is considered to be the principal form of the trout (Salmo trutta). It is also known under following, partly historical names (among others): beach salmon, sand trout, silver salmon, white trout, weakfish, black salmon, or (original German names): "Möllitz", "Breden" or "Sülberlaß". The term "salmon trout" was used earlier, in order to clarify the similarity with Atlantic salmon.

Sea trouts reach up to approx. 60 cm of length. Given the favorable living conditions, they can even grow to a length of 125 cm and the weight of 20 kg. Other similarities with salmon consist in the long, prolate body form as well as the adipose ("fatty") fin, which is typical for all Salmonidae. Sea trouts feed mainly on smaller fish, shrimp and crabs. They exist along the European coasts from the North Sea to the Baltic Sea and Biscay.

The way of life of the sea trout is very similar to that of the Atlantic salmon. It undertakes extensive migrations in the sea and in the winter it climbs the limnic water courses up to the barbel and grayling regions, in order to find appropriate gravel substrates for spawning. Hatched young fish migrate to the sea after a growing period of 1-5 years. Similar to all migratory fish, the ascent and spawn success are determined by strongly modified water and high material pressures. Sea trout was the fish of the year 1996.