From upland creeks in Georgia, to cold, clear streams in Maine to the lakes and rivers of California's Sierra Nevada Mountains, trout fishing is a popular pastime enjoyed throughout much of the United States. The reason for this popularity stems from the many benefits that trout fishing has to offer. For children, along with excitement of fishing, come lessons in patience and persistence; while for many adults, wetting a line provides a time to commune with nature while relaxing away from the turmoil of everyday life. In this article we'll run you through where to find trout, and the techniques and fishing gear you need to catch them.
- Trout Habitat
- Types of Trout
- What is the Best Time of Day to Catch Trout?
- When Can You Catch Trout?
- What Kind of Gear Do You Need to Catch Trout?
- Baits and Lures for Catching Trout
- Bait Fishing for Trout
- Lure Fishing for Trout
- Terminal Tackle: Hooks, Sinkers and Leaders
- Keep Your Rig Simple
- Trout Fishing Tips
Trout Habitat
Trout require clean, cold, well-oxygenated water, the sweet spot for trout being water in the range of 50–60 degrees Fahrenheit. They are often found in rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds with clear water and rocky bottoms. They also require an environment where there are plenty of insects such as caddis flies and their larvae, and other small aquatic organisms for them to eat. Additionally, they require sufficient cover such as submerged logs, rocks, and vegetation where they can hide from predators and from where they, as predators themselves, can ambush their prey. The ideal habitat for trout also includes areas with riffles and pools, as they provide different types of currents and depths where they can find shelter and food.
Types of Trout
Trout caught in the United States include rainbow trout, eastern brook trout (aka "brookies"), and German brown trout. Other species include cutthroat trout, Dolly Varden trout, the golden trout of California, the Apache trout of Arizona and lake trout. While there are many varieties of trout, the most commonly fished for species are rainbow, eastern brook and German brown trout.
What is the Best Time of Day to Catch Trout?
While it is possible to catch trout at any time of day, you stand your best chance of success at the break of dawn or in the evening as shadows lengthen and daylight begins to wane.
When Can You Catch Trout?
Technically speaking, trout can be caught at any time of year. However, to protect trout during their spawning period, most states are closed to trout fishing from late fall until sometime in the spring. Since opening and closing dates vary by state, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the regulations in your area before you venture out. In addition to knowing the regulations, you will also need a fishing license.
What Kind of Gear Do You Need to Catch Trout?
The most popular way to catch trout is with lightweight spinning gear in the 4 to 8 pound fishing line class. Spinning rods that work well have a light to medium-light action and range from 5 to 7 feet long, with short rods best for fishing small creeks surrounded by heavy vegetation and longer rods best for lakes or rivers where you have plenty of room to cast. Rather than purchasing your rod and reel separately, we suggest you simplify the process by selecting a spinning rod and reel combo like Penn's Battle® III 1000 Spinning Combo. Designed for use with 2–6 pound test mono — with 4 pound mono being this combo's sweet spot — it features a medium-light power, fast-action, 6'6" composite spinning rod and Penn's Battle® III 1000 Spinning Reel.
Baits and Lures for Catching Trout
Trout can be caught on live bait such as worms, grasshoppers or other insects, non-live bait like salmon eggs or Power Bait, artificial lures such as spinners and spoons, and on artificial flies. Regarding the latter, while not covered in this article, fly fishing can be a very satisfying experience, especially for anglers who tie their own flies.
Bait Fishing for Trout
When fishing a river or creek with live bait, salmon eggs or Power Bait, pick a location like the downstream side of a boulder, alongside a log, adjacent to an undercut or under overhanging vegetation where trout often hide. Cast your bait upstream of your target and allow it to move with the current to where it passes close to the target. Maintain light tension on the line to where you can feel the bait as it taps along the bottom. With time you will be able to feel the difference between a tap and an actual nibble, which is when you give your rod a quick jerk to set the hook. If you don't get a strike, allow your bait to continue on well past the target before you begin your retrieve.
Lure Fishing for Trout
The technique for fishing a small spoon or spinner type lure is a bit different. In general, you need to cast the lure upstream and then retrieve it across the current, relying on the action of the lure to entice a strike.
Terminal Tackle: Hooks, Sinkers and Leaders
When fishing with salmon eggs, use salmon egg fishing hooks which, with their rounded shape, can be concealed inside a salmon egg where wary trout can’t see them. When purchasing salmon egg hooks, be sure select the right size, one that matches the size of the eggs you will be using. Egg hooks vary in size, with size 14 (the smallest) 12, 10 and 8 being the most common.
Baitholder hooks differ from egg hooks in that they have a longer shank and a less rounded shape. These are the hooks to use when fishing with Power Bait, or with worms, night crawlers, grasshoppers and other live bait. When fishing with live bait, size 12, 10 and 8 hooks work well. By the way, live grasshoppers have a way of driving hungry trout nuts!
Keep Your Rig Simple
For creeks and streams where the current is not too swift, the least complicated way to bait fish for trout is with a single hook tied to the end of your line, relying upon the weight of the hook and the bait alone when making your cast. This can result in a very natural presentation, but in practice, you will usually need to add some weight. This can be accomplished by adding one or more removable small split shot sinkers to compensate for the current and get your bait to where you want. Add as little weight as possible, as the last thing you need is for your weight to noisily clunk along the bottom which can spook the fish and get you hung up.
For fishing in lakes where you may need to make long casts, another approach is to use a Carolina rig. For trout, these rigs consist of a 1/8–1/4 ounce egg-style sliding sinker, a glass bead, a two way swivel, about three feet of leader line and a hook.
Trout Fishing Tips
- Keep it natural: When bait fishing in a creek or river, let your bait glide along naturally with the current. Use as little weight as possible.
- Fish the undercuts: Undercuts along the inside bend of a stream can be productive.
- Avoid casting a shadow: Casting a shadow is a good way to spook wary trout.
- Practice stealth: If possible, fish from behind cover, such as large boulders or vegetation.
- Cast upstream: When bait fishing cast upstream from where you want your bait to wind up.
- Watch your step: Take care not to slip or slide on large cobbles downed trees, etc. as you fish alongside a stream or lake.
Need More Help?
West Marine is the perfect place to get ready for your next fishing trip. We offer free line spooling and locally assorted tackle in most of our stores to gear you up for what’s biting in your area. Plus, with plenty of anglers on our crew, we have the know-how you need to get ready. Use our store locator to find a store near you.