Rainbow Trout Fishing Guide

Rainbow Trout Fishing Guide

Rainbow Trout are one of the most popular fish for fishing fans because of their bright colors, strong fight, and tasty meat. You’ll usually find them in cold, clean waters like rivers, streams, and mountain lakes. Originally from the Pacific Ocean and West Coast rivers, Rainbow Trout are now stocked in waters all across the United States.

To catch Rainbow Trout, anglers often use small lures, worms, or colorful flies, as trout are naturally curious and quick to bite. They tend to be most active in the early morning or late afternoon, making these the best times to fish. When reeling them in, expect a bit of a challenge, as rainbow trout are known to put up a good fight! Remember to use a net, though, because they’re slippery and like to wriggle free. Fishing for rainbow trout is great for beginners and seasoned anglers alike.

Rainbow Trout Fishing Facts

Location

  • Streams
  • Rivers
  • Creeks
  • Ponds
  • Lakes

Habitats

  • In lakes & ponds, Rainbow Trout usually travel adjacent to the shorelines
  • Rainbow Trout are located in the main current of the stream, usually behind obstructions (fallen trees, vegetation, boulders and in deep holes)
  • Prefer cooler water (55-68°), ideally 20-40 ft depths
  • Rainbow Trout often stay at the top half of the water column so fish halfway down
  • In the summer, trolling, casting, and still
    fishing are all popular and effective

Diet

  • Insects
  • Snails
  • Crayfish
  • Small fish

Activity

  • Active throughout the day
  • Most active at
    dawn and dusk

Rainbow Trout Fishing Guide Fishing Techniques

Cast & Retrieve
Fishing

Cast & Retrieve Tips

  • In the summer, cast and retrieve is a popular and effective way
    to catch Rainbow Trout.
  • In the spring and fall, Rainbow
    Trout can be caught close to shore casting with bright spinners and spoons as well as streamers.
  • In the spring, cast weighted spinners with flat blades and retrieve at a slow pace
  • Silver spinner blades can excite rainbow trout
  • Keep the spinner just a few feet above the bottom. Retrieval at a continuous level casting toward the structure or the bank.

Still “Bobber” Fishing

Still Fishing Tips

  • Still fishing is putting your bait in the water and waiting for a fish to find it. Great for Beginners.
  • In the summer, still fishing is a popular and effective way to catch Rainbow Trout.
  • During spring time is still fishing with worms or minnows.
  • Still fishing can be done from a boat, pier, or while standing on shore.
  • Trout Magnets under a float work very well. The key secret is to use a tiny float

Bottom Fishing

Bottom Fishing Tips

  • Opportunistic and aggressive Rainbow Trout feeders, may be found close to bottom or suspended off the bottom depending on where food is located, and are likely to attack a flashy lure, minnows, or worms.
  • Pro Tip: Use a size 8-12 hook,
    baited with powerbait. Place
    a weight 18” up from bait.
  • For stocked Rainbow Trout I have the most success fishing off the bottom with PowerBait.
  • If the Rainbow Trout are deeper, just remove the bobber,  cast out and let the tube jig just sink.

Trolling Fishing

Trolling Tips

  • In the summer, trolling is a popular and effective way to catch Rainbow Trout.
  • Trout usually prefer faster speeds, around 1.5 to 2.0 miles per hour. However, slower speeds may work better in cold water.
  • Use spoons, dodgers, flashers with hoochies, and Lyman or Tomic plugs.
  • Trout are often found in the top 20 feet of the water column in the summer. They also like points, humps, and other structural elements.

Fly
Fishing

Fly Fishing Tips

  • In the spring and fall, Rainbow Trout can be caught close to shore casting using dry flies.
  • Rainbow Trout like lure types, including spinners, spoons, plugs, and jigs in the 1″-3″ size range
  • In the spring, cast weighted spinners with flat blades and reel them in at a slow pace.
  • In the fall, use minnow-imitating crankbaits and cast them into the current near river or stream inlets. 

Ice
Fishing

Ice FIshing Tips

  • Successful methods used while ice fishing include using worms or minnows and jigging copper lures.
  • Try live baits first. Then switch to artificial baits.
  • Start Shallow and Then Move Deeper
  • Add some scent to your artificial lure. Rainbow Trout have incredible vision and a powerful sense of smell.
  • Still-fishing using baits (earthworms, maggots, , frozen krill, or pieces of cooked shrimp) or Artificial baits (like Berkely PowerBait or Gulp)

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