Rainbow Trout
The rainbow trout is an extremely valuable species in any and all of its forms. It is native to the west coast of North America from southern Alaska to Mexico.
Region
Midwest, South, Northeast, West
Catch ease
Easy
Habitat
River, Ocean, Stream
HOW TO IDENTIFY A RAINBOW TROUT
The rainbow trout coloration varies greatly with size, habitat and spawning periods. For example, stream dwellers and spawners usually show the darkest and most vivid colors and markings, while the steelhead is silvery when it returns from the sea. Though noted for the broad red or pink stripe along the middle of its sides, this stripe may not be present on all forms, particularly the sea-run steelhead and immature specimens in clear lakes.
The spots characteristically extend onto the dorsal fin, the adipose fin, and the tail. Those on the tail radiate outward in an even, orderly pattern. Spots may or may not be present on any of the lower fins and there are never any red spots such as occur on freshwater and spawning specimens of brown trout and Atlantic salmon.
WHERE TO CATCH RAINBOW TROUT
It has been extensively introduced across the lower Canadian provinces and throughout the area of the Great Lakes to the Atlantic coast, south in the Appalachians to northern Georgia and Alabama, east in the southern U.S. to western Texas and sporadically in the central U.S. as well as above the Great Lakes on the Atlantic coast.
The following are different places where you can find and catch Rainbow trout:
| Outsides of Bends |
| Riparian Zones |
| Dams and Falls |
| Merging Currents |
| Undercuts |
| Overhanging Trees and Bushes |
| Rock and Boulder Pockets |
| Drop-Offs |
| Small Pointed Waves |
| Current Edges |
HOW TO CATCH RAINBOW TROUT
It is the fly fishermen’s delight as it takes a fly readily, leaps often, and fights hard. The following are fishing methods you can use to catch this fish:
RAINBOW TROUT LURES, TACKLE & BAIT
The following are fishing lures, tackle and bait that you can use to catch this fish: