Known as the fur-bearing trout , this bizarre aquatic oddity has been the subject of tall tales, hoaxes, and head-scratching speculation for over a century. While most “specimens” are clearly just rabbit fur glued to taxidermied fish, that hasn’t stopped the legend from swimming its way into the annals of weird wildlife folklore.
The most popular version of the legend claims that these fuzzy trout evolved fur to survive freezing waters, shedding their coats in warmer months. Sounds almost plausible... until you hear the next part.
In 1929, Montana Wildlife featured an article by J.H. Hicken, who took the tale a step further. He claimed that when caught, the sudden temperature difference between the cold water and warm air caused the trout to spontaneously explode, leaving behind a ready-to-cook fish and a perfectly intact pelt.
Dinner and a rug? How convenient!
The fur-bearing trout has also made waves in Arkansas lore, thanks to a particularly hairy mishap. According to local legend, two bottles of hair tonic accidentally spilled into the river, triggering an unexpected follicular phenomenon.
From then on, fish reportedly grew thick coats, and anglers were advised to lure them in not with bait but with the promise of a free shave.
One of the oldest origin stories dates back to the 1700s, when a Scottish settler in Canada wrote to his family about the “furried animals and fish” he’d encountered in the snowy wilds. Unfortunately, the lack of an Oxford comma led to a legendary misunderstanding.
Instead of correcting the mix-up, the settler simply glued rabbit fur to a trout and mailed it home. Thus, the legend, and perhaps the first fish hoax by post, was born.
Even in the digital age, the fur-bearing trout continues to amaze. In 2015, a Wisconsin man claimed to have caught one , and his photo was featured on a local news site. The image went viral, sparking renewed debate over whether these creatures are real.
Some have tried to explain the fur-like texture as the result of a fungal infection, but the science doesn’t hold water. These aquatic molds tend to be thin and patchy—not the lush locks seen on these Frankenstein fish.
Whether it’s due to cold waters, clumsy punctuation, or creative pranksters with access to rabbit pelts, the fur-bearing trout has become a creature of legend. With so many specimens floating around (on shelves, not in rivers), it’s safe to say this is one fish story people want to believe.
Looking to see one of these fur-tastic friends up close? Find a Ripley's Believe It or Not! near you!
