Rainbow trout are an amazing species to catch. They have a silvery body with red, orange, and yellow stripes running along the length of their bodies. Not only are they beautiful to look at, but they’re also easy to catch! As a new angler, I’ve learned that there are best practices for catching these fish that can make it easier for you.
Rainbow Trout Fishing Tip
You’ll want to find some moving water where the rainbow trout is likely residing and cast your line out into this area. Get comfortable by sitting onshore or wading out in shallow water until you feel like you’re where the fish will be coming from.
Best Rainbow Trout Fishing Spots
Rainbow trout are one of the most sought-after fish species in the world. Anglers who desire to catch this kind of fish will travel far and wide into places that can offer bountiful catch. If you want to be included on that list, then check out these top spots with a high population of rainbow trout.
Best Rainbow Trout Fishing Spots on the West Coast
1. California – Shasta Lake
Shasta Lake is the largest reservoir in California which provides ample fishing spots for rainbow trout. This place can be accessed through highways 5, 89 and 44 around the lake’s perimeter. It has an average depth of 100 feet with a maximum depth of 350 feet. The lake is rich in nutrients which is a haven for rainbow trout who love cool, clear and shaded waters.
Shasta Lake has a variety of fish species including sturgeon, salmon, northern pikeminnow and catfish to name a few. According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the number of rainbow trout that can be fished in this place is about two million. Their catch rate is one of the highest in California, providing ample opportunities to anglers who want to have a taste of their first rainbow trout.
Best Rainbow Trout Fishing Spots on the East Coast
1. Pennsylvania – Lake Wallenpaupack
Lake Wallenpaupack can be found in Pennsylvania and is one of the best places to catch rainbow trout. It has a deep-water fishery with a depth of about 180 feet. According to an article from Scranton Times, this place welcomes tourists who want to catch a lot of rainbow trout which averages four pounds.
Lake Wallenpaupack is a large lake where fishing enthusiasts can enjoy fast and reliable boats which can reach speeds up to 40 mph. They also utilize the lake’s vast area by using lures that imitate shiners, crawfish or salmon eggs. The place has abundant vegetation that’s perfect for rainbow trout to hone their skills as they delight fishers from time to time.
Best Rainbow Trout Fishing Spots on the South Coast
1. Texas – Lake Tawakoni
Lake Tawakoni has more fish species than you can think of, but it is particularly known for its bountiful population of rainbow trout. According to an article on OutdoorLife.com, this lake harbors rainbow trout that weigh up to 15 pounds. The lake has a maximum depth of 150 feet, providing anglers with opportunities to catch the largest rainbow trout they can find in Texas.
Lake Tawakoni is also perfect for aquatic activities like swimming, boating and ramp fishing. Here, the water levels are well-regulated which ensures that the lake can get enough amounts of oxygen. It has a variety of fish species, which include bass, catfish, bluegill and rock bass to name a few.
Lake Tawakoni is located in the state’s northeast part near Texas-Oklahoma border. This place can be accessed through highways 69, 276 and US Commerce 205.
Best Rainbow Trout Fishing Spots on the North Coast
1. Michigan – Black Lake
Black Lake is located in Michigan and is considered as one of the best fishing spots for rainbow trout. It has a maximum depth of 110 feet with an average depth of 40 feet, providing ample space for anglers who want to catch a lot of fish. According to an article on OutdoorLife.com, this lake’s soft, murky bottom is one of the reasons why rainbow trout love it here.
Black Lake can be reached through downtown Yale by taking Wabasis Street to Old 27 South. It has a large number of fish species including bass, bluegill, catfish and walleye to name a few. According to the Department of Natural Resources, no license is required for any person who wants to fish in this place.
Best Rainbow Trout Fishing Spots on the East Coast
1. New York – Lake Champlain
Lake Champlain can be found in New York and spans across Vermont and New York . It has an average depth of 150 feet and a maximum depth of 300 feet. According to an article on OutdoorLife.com, this lake is one of the best places in New York for fishing because it is abundant with fish species like perch and salmon trout.
Lake Champlain is accessible from numerous points in Upstate New York including Plattsburgh, Albany and Saratoga . Fishermen can expect to catch a lot of fish in this place since it has numerous species including bass and trout. It also has an abundance of lily pads which provides ideal habitat for the small, yet delicious bluegill.
What Gear You’ll Need To Catch Trout
If you go out to catch trout, there are several essential items that you will want and need. The basic necessities (rod and reel) should be the minimum for any outing. If you have a good pole, reel and line, you will not have to worry about catching your dinner for at least part of the time. Here are several other things that you might want to bring along with you on your outings:
Baitcasting Rods
A bait cast rod is one of the most important tools in fishing. The basic idea of baitcasting is to hold the line with a finger and cast it out by spinning the pole, much like casting a yo-yo. This makes for very precise casts as well as being able to control where your lure lands. A good rod will have a high weight bearing capacity, but also be sensitive enough that you can feel what is going on under the surface.
These rods are good for catching trout, though they can be more difficult to master than spinning or spin cast nets (see below). The weight of this rod also makes it useful in casting heavy jigs and other fishing equipment that you might need to use.
Spinning Rods
A spinning rod is one that is basically a straight piece of wood and metal, and it looks like its name (a rod with a spinning mechanism on the end). This works by having a bail spring up on the side of your reel. As soon as this line touches anything solid it will turn off, allowing you to catch something.
This type of rod is a good one for beginners as it is easier to learn how to use. It does have its drawbacks, though. While you can cast this rod with more precision than a spinning net, the weight of the line makes it difficult to cast some lures and equipment types. In some cases, if you want to cast something that is too heavy you might need to switch over to a Baitcasting Net.
Spinning Nets
This type of rod is the most commonly used one for catching trout, and there are two major types that you can buy. If you have ever seen someone fishing with a spinning net, they were probably using a spinning net. This works by having a line on the top of your pole that is attached to a ring at the bottom. When you turn on this line, it spins and pulls the net up as it goes.
The other kind is called a side cast or spinning reel. This works by having a line that comes out of your reel and then moves down into the water ahead of you. As soon as this line gets into the water, it starts spinning and pulls the net up. This type of rod is good for catching trout because it can move in any direction that you want to go in, making your life much easier when fishing.
Baitcast Net
This type of net has a spool at the bottom that allows you to reel in anything that gets on the hook of your latest catch. This makes it much easier to pull out fish, as well as releasing them back into the water with minimal damage.
A good baitcasting rod is great for catching trout because it can cast heavy items very far with minimal effort from the user. While not all are created equally, they are a good choice for catching trout and other fish that you might want to catch.
Spinning Net (Side Cast)
This type of net works by having a spinning line on the end of it that comes down into the water ahead of you. When this line gets into the water it starts spinning and pulls your net up.
This is the type of net that you might have seen someone else using when fishing, as it works by having a line that goes into the water on one side of where you are standing. Then, as soon as it hits the water this line starts to spin and pulls your net up. This makes it easier to catch fish because you do not need to be next to the water in order to use it.
The side cast net is good for catching trout because it can move in any direction that you want, giving you more control over where your fish end up. It also makes life much easier since you do not have to stand next to the water when fishing.
Use Live Bait To Catch Fish
With summer here, I wanted to give you some tips on catching rainbow trout. Even if you are not the best fisherman out there, don’t worry! Rainbow trout are plentiful and easy to catch. To start off, live bait is always better than artificial lures. So stick with worms or crickets when fishing for trout. I prefer nightcrawlers – they are easy to use and very effective. In addition, you can also try trout fishing with salmon eggs as bait. To fish with nightcrawlers, cut the worm into small pieces that will fit on your lure or hook. Use a wire leader about 18-20 inches long to the main line. This will keep from getting cut off by the trout’s teeth. When casting your line, aim upstream and cast no more than 1/3 of the way across the river or stream. The fish will most likely be in a small hole, undercut bank or other place where they can hide from predators. Slowly pull your bait downstream just fast enough to not lose it behind you. When you feel a bite, set the hook and start fighting him. Depending on the size of the trout, you may need to use a net rather than your hands. Some people think that trout can swim up streams by leaping from rock to rock. In fact they are using small pools as travel routes and then resting in between.
Conclusion
Well, there you have it. We hope that this has helped find out how to catch rainbow trout in a pond and are now more confident about your next fishing trip. If you are looking for some tips on what gear to use or where to look, be sure to check out our blog post “How To Catch Rainbow Trout In A Pond” before heading back outdoors! After all of the information we’ve provided here, do you think catching them in ponds is easier than rivers? What else would make it even better? Leave us a comment below with your thoughts on making this sport even more enjoyable.
