How to Catch Rainbow Trout: Gear, Spots and Methods

How to catch rainbow trout? Fish cool, clean water in spring and fall, use light line (4 to 6 pound), and start with the simplest methods: bait under a bobber, bait floating just off the bottom, or a small 1/16 oz spinner. In rivers, cast to rocks, undercut banks and deeper, slower pools where trout wait for food.

Below are the gear, spots, timing and techniques, based on advice from state fisheries biologists. Heading out? Our trout hats come with a custom name.

Where rainbow trout live

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife says trout are found in almost any water that provides "cool, clean water," food such as aquatic insects, minnows and crawfish, and cover from predators (ODFW: How to fish for trout). Trout Unlimited adds that water temperatures "consistently above 65 degrees can stress rainbow trout" (Trout Unlimited: Chasing Rainbows), so in summer look deeper or higher up in the mountains.

In lakes and ponds

• Near or above weed beds
• Around logs, stumps, rocks and stream inlets that bring cool water and food
• Deeper water in warm months

In rivers and streams

• Behind rocks where the surface shows bumps or riffles
• Near steep or undercut banks
• In deeper, slower pools

How to catch rainbow trout: gear you need

ODFW's starter list is short:

• A lightweight 6-foot spinning or spincasting rod with 4 to 6 pound monofilament
• A handful of 1/16 oz spinners
• Size 8 bait hooks and #5 split shot
• A couple of red and white bobbers
• PowerBait or PowerEggs, and worms

Fly anglers can start with a 9-foot, 5-weight rod, matching reel and line, 4x leaders and a box of flies.

How to catch rainbow trout in lakes step by step

1. Bait under a bobber

Put a piece of worm or a little PowerBait on the hook, add a small weight just above it and set a bobber 1 1/2 to 3 feet above the hook. ODFW says this works when fish cruise near the surface or to keep bait above a weed bed. Watch for the bobber to wiggle, dive or jerk.

2. Bait off the bottom

When trout are deep, skip the bobber. Attach the weight about 1 1/2 feet above the hook; the weight sinks and floating bait hovers above the bottom where fish feed.

3. Cast and retrieve a small spinner

A 1/16 oz spinner covers water fast. Cast toward structure and reel just fast enough to keep the blade turning.

When to fish for rainbow trout

ODFW says the best time of year in lower elevation lakes is "in the spring and fall when the water is cooler and the trout are more active," which is also when most lakes are stocked. Rivers also fish best in spring and fall. Early morning and evening are usually the coolest parts of a summer day. Check your state's stocking schedule and regulations before you go.

Rainbow trout fishing tips

• Use light line: trout in clear water can be line shy.
• Move if nothing bites in 20 to 30 minutes.
• In warm water, release fish quickly and keep them wet.
• Buy a fishing license and read your state's limits first.
• Not sure what you caught? Read rainbow trout vs brook trout.

Rainbow trout hats for your next trip

Our trout hats are baseball caps printed with rainbow trout and brown trout designs, personalized with your name. They make a simple gift for the angler in your family. Check each product page for the design and options. More gear ideas: what to wear fishing.

FAQ

What is the best bait for rainbow trout?

ODFW's starter list includes worms, PowerBait and PowerEggs, fished under a bobber or just off the bottom.

What is the best method for catching rainbow trout?

For beginners in lakes, bait under a bobber or off the bottom. A small 1/16 oz spinner works in lakes and rivers.

What time of day is best to catch rainbow trout?

Cool parts of the day, early morning and evening, especially in summer. Spring and fall are the best seasons.

What water temperature do rainbow trout like?

Cool water. Trout Unlimited notes that temperatures consistently above 65 degrees can stress rainbow trout.