Arizona state fish returns to the White Mountains this summer.

The gold and black freckled Apache Trout is one of two native species to Arizona’s northern waterways.

Like the native Saguaro, the Apache Trout is only found here in the Southwest.

Nick Walter, with Arizona Game and Fish, said anglers were hard pressed to catch one last year after the state moved to protect the prized fish from a fast spreading bacterium.

“Because a few of our state and federal state hatcheries tested positive for bacteria kidney disease (BKD),” Walter said. “In some cases (BKD) can be lethal to trout and salmon, but it does not affect humans.”

The restocking begins in May with 55,000 medium and larger Apache Trout. Another 200,000 contaminant-free Apache Trout eggs are also incubating and expected for delivery from two state hatcheries in 2019.