Trout Fishing is one of the most popular hobbies in the United States of America. It is a big part of the tradition and has been enjoyed by different generations.
It can also be counted as a sport as every year lots of people gather around and enjoy a trout fishing competition. From small children to adults, everyone is passionate about trout fishing.
You can’t ever be an expert in hunting or fishing without the knowledge of what you are trying to catch. When it comes to trout, you must know the most common things just to prepare yourself.
Otherwise, it is never gonna be easy to fish for trout. So apart from training to fish and gathering practical experiences, there is some knowledge you must have. Here are 25 things you must know for trout fishing as a beginner.
What Is Trout Fishing?
Trout is a fish that comes from the same species as salmons. Salmons generally spend most of their time in the seawater so it is mostly seawater fish. But trout are found in sweet water or freshwater. It is an oily fish that likes to dwell in cold and clean fresh water. So you can’t find trout in unclean waters.
Trout fishing is fishing for trout as game. Trout is delicious food and has great food value as well. Also, fishing for trout is not as easy as for many other fishes.
It takes a lot of practice, understanding of the fish, and knowledge about when and where to find and how to bait them. Trout fishing comes with a good amount of thrills and this causes people to get attracted to this more and more.
Is Trout Fishing Hard?
Generally, if you have proper knowledge of fishing and have a good amount of experience catching fish, it won’t be very hard given you are fishing in the right area.
There are different types of trout and each has different difficulty levels. For example, Lake trouts are huge and not very easy to pull up. Brown trouts are the smartest and get more skiddy and intelligent as they are fished.
It is also heavily dependent on whether you are selecting the right place at the right time. It is best not to waste time at the same spot for hours after hours if you are not getting any fish.
Generally, trout fish can be easily fished in less pressured areas and you have to look for them and have knowledge as to how to catch them properly. So if you have experience and knowledge, trout fishing isn’t very hard.
How To Fish For Trout – Step By Step Guide
To fish for trout, at first, you would have to get a general idea about how to prepare yourself, where to fish, and what kind of bait to use. As said earlier, fishing for trout is not that hard but it can be tricky. So in order to easily catch trout without any wasted effort, let us guide you step by step on how to fish for trout.
Rules And Regulations
As we have said before trout is considered a game fish and there are rules and regulations surrounding trout fishing. It is very important to be well informed about the rules and regulations as to what is needed and what is allowed.
You are most likely to need a license for trout fishing. It is very easy to acquire and you might even get one from your local sports shop.
Next, you have to check whether you are allowed to fish at the spot you are choosing to fish at. Also if you are allowed to fish during that time of the year.
It is important because, to protect the ecosystem and keep the population of trout safe, bans are imposed on fishing for trout. So you should check all the rules and regulations regarding it before you head to fish.
Preparation For Fishing
After getting permission to fish, you need to start preparing for the event. You obviously can’t go without any type of equipment and hope to catch trout.
So it is time to gear up. You will need a lightweight 6-foot fishing rod, 6-4 pound monofilament line, size 8 baiting hooks, a couple of bobbers, split shot weights, swivel, lead weights, and a couple of 1/16 ounce spinning lures.
For baits, you can use Power baits or Powereggs. People also use live natural baits like earthworms, salmon roe, corn kernels, and grasshoppers.
A thing that should be kept in mind is that not all types of baits are allowed at different places. So before you go fishing, it is better to know which kinds of baits are allowed and which kinds of baits are not allowed.
Selecting A Place To Fish
Now that you have taken all the preparations for trout fishing, it is time to find a place to cast your fishing rod at. A few important conditions should always be remembered when you are selecting a place to fish trout. They are given below:
Clean waters
Trouts like to stay in a clean environment and don’t prefer a messy environment. So if the water is clean it is more likely to be inhabited by trouts.
Coldwater
Trouts are coldwater fish. They do not like the sunlight very much and like their environment cool.
Available food
If the place has a lot of aquatic insects and small fishes, trouts are very likely to populate there.
Protection from predators
Trouts like a safe environment and try not to be in the same food chain as predators.
So if all the conditions are met properly you are most likely to find a trout population there.
Best Place To Find Trouts
Trouts are normally fished in still water or moving water. Finding techniques of trouts in both these places are different from each other. So to find trout quickly in both types of water, you need information about where to place your baits. Let us guide you with the information.
In still water
Still, the waters are mostly lakes or ponds. Here the water flow is much less and the trouts can easily move around to find their food. So, the best places to find trouts would be around the places where clean water is circulated.
Trouts like clean water and they will gather around in those places. During summer, you can find trouts deep underwater where the water is cold and the heat doesn’t reach.
In moving water
In moving waters such as rivers and streams, trouts mostly hold on to their spot and let the food come to them. So in moving waters, you are most like to find trouts deep underwater where the flow is slow. You can also find them behind any rock formations where the current is slowed down.
Fishing Techniques
Now that you have gone through every step of preparation, it is time to finally start fishing. Fishing techniques are different in both still water and moving water.
So it is very important to know which technique to use in which kind of water. We are going to guide you with one technique for each which is better suited for beginners and can be easily followed without much problem.
In still water
In still water, we are going to use a bobber. So at first attach the monofilament line with the bobber and attach the hook 2-3 feet below. Attach a lead weight to keep the hook grounded.
Now insert the bait from top to bottom, fully in the hook. Try to cast the hook in an area where the water is cleaner or above aquatic plants. Keep it still and wait for the bobber to shake or jerk. Use the reel to bring out the fish.
In moving water
In moving water, we will use a swivel. Attach a split shot weight in the monofilament and attach the swivel. Attach another split shot weight and draw about 18-20 inches of leader and attach the hook to its end.
Add the bait like before. Now, cast the hook upstream. The fish mostly swim upstream and easily take the bait. As soon as you feel a strong pull, you got your fish on the hook.
Storing the fish
If you are looking to eat the fish, you better store it in an ice bucket. There are rules and regulations as to the size of fish you can catch and also how much you can carry. So better know about them.
If you are not looking to eat the fish and want to release it back into the water, you have to do it very fast. It is very important for you to wet your hands if you are releasing the fish back into the water. Because if your dry hands touch the fish, it will burn its skin. Carefully remove the hook from the fish and gently put it back in the water using a net.
What To Do When Trout Isn’t Biting?
There are a lot of reasons why a trout won’t take your bait. It can get frustrating when you spend quite a long time without getting many catches. So it is important to know what to do when the trout aren’t biting and how to change that situation.
The Bait Is Not Appealing
If you are fishing in all the right conditions and following everything accordingly, yet the fish won’t bite your bait, it is most probably because it doesn’t like your bait. This is one of the most common situations. So it is time to change the bait and get something different. You have to outsmart the fish if you want to catch them.
Not In The Right Place
It is very possible that you are fishing in the wrong place if you fail to find enough fish. So, if you feel like you have stayed at a place long enough, tried different things, and yet have no sight of any trouts, it is time to change your location a bit. Try to find colder water and places with lesser light and more shadow.
Hot Temperature
Trout fishes hate the heat. So if the temperature is hot the fishes are less likely to take the bait. They are uncomfortable and don’t like to move around very much. So it is better not to fish on a very hot day.
Noisy And Populated
If the place you are fishing, has a lot of boats and people making noises, it is very unlikely you will get a lot of fish. The fishes tend to move away from the surface when the water is very populated and there is too much noise.
You Are Not Being Patient
It is very likely to get excited and fired up when you are new to fishing. But one thing fishing requires in plenty is patience. If you keep moving your rod, recast every few minutes, and don’t wait for enough time, you are very less likely to get fish.
It is a very good idea to always consult with the other fishermen in the area. People are very likely to help you with important information like, where to sit, what kind of bait to use, and when is the best time to fish.
Trout Fishing Setup
There are a lot of setups for trout fishing. Most of these setups depend on the technique you are going to use, the equipment, and the place you will use it. For beginners, many of these techniques can be very complicated. So we will try to give you a simple setup for still water and moving waters.
In Still Water
In still water, you will need a lightweight, 6-foot fishing rod, 6-4 pound monofilament line, size 8 baiting hooks, a couple of bobbers, lead weights, couple of 1/16 ounces spinning lures.
So at first attach the monofilament line with the bobber and attach the hook 2-3 feet below. Attach a lead weight to keep the hook grounded. Now insert the bait top to bottom fully in the hook.
In Moving Water
In moving water, You will need a lightweight 6-foot fishing rod, 6-4 pound monofilament line size 8 baiting hooks, split shot weights, swivel, couple of 1/16 ounce spinning lures.
Attach a split shot weight in the monofilament and attach the swivel. Attach another split shot weight and draw about 18-20 inches of leader and attach the hook to its end. Add the bait from top to bottom.
Best Trout Fishing Rod
Fishing rods are the most important item when it comes to fishing. So it is important to have a good fishing rod so you can easily catch fish and be comfortable using it. When it comes to the best trout fishing rod, we would suggest Ugly Stik Elite Spinning Fishing Rod.
The fishing rod is made of stainless steel. So it won’t rust easily and is very durable. The cork handle is very comfortable to hold and the grip is good. The fishing rod is lightweight as graphite is added to it. It also helps with better sensation. You can find different sizes according to your needs.
Places For Trout Fishing
The most important thing in trout fishing is to find a good place to catch the fish. If you are not finding the right spots or places, you will most likely not get any trouts.
We can mostly divide the fishing spots into two divisions. Still water and moving water. Still, water consists of lakes and ponds. While moving water consists of rivers and streams. Let us see a few of the best places for trout fishing.
Lakes
1. Lake Erie (Oregon)
Lake Erie situated in Oregon is one of the largest lakes in North America. It is 25740 square km in size. It is one of the most popular places for trout fishing.
2. Bull Shoals Lake (Arkansas)
Bull Shoals Lake is an artificial lake that is situated in Arkansas. It is 182.7 square km in size. It is a hotspot for trout fishing and people crowd this place during the season.
3. Diamond Lake (Oregon)
Diamond Lake is situated in Oregon and is quite smaller than the other two mentioned lakes. It is 11.43 square km in size and is a popular place for trout fishing.
Ponds
1. Dan Hole Pond (New Hampshire)
Dan Hole Pond is a 443-acre water body that is situated in New Hampshire. It is a very popular still water body for trout fishing.
2. Trout Pond (West Virginia)
Trout Pond is a small water body of 3 acres situated in West Virginia. As the name suggests, this is one of the places where you can find trouts in abundance.
3. Spy Pond (Massachuset)
Sky Pond is situated in the Rocky Mountain National Park. It is a very popular spot for trout fishing and a lot of crowd gathers here during the seasons.
River
1. Snake River
Snake River is a 1078 miles long river that is the largest tributary of the Columbian River. Trouts can be found in this riven in abundance and people tries their luck now and then.
2. White River
White River is a 722 miles long river that flows through Arkansas and Missouri. It is a breeding place for trouts and you can fish in the designated spots.
3. Beaver Kill
Beaver Kill is a small river that is only 44 miles in length. It passes through New York. It is a trout fishing hotspot
Stream
1. Beaver Kill (New York)
As we already saw Beaver Kill River is a hotspot for trout fishing, it also has streams where you will find a lot of trout fish.
2. Nantahala River (North Carolina)
Nantahala River is known for brown trouts and some of the biggest brown trouts can be found here. A lot of events surrounding trout fishing are held regularly.
3. Bois Brule River (Wisconsin)
It is a very popular spot for trout fishing. If you are looking for brown trouts or steelhead, you can get them in abundance in this spot.
When Is The Best Time For Trout Fishing?
Knowing when to fish trout is very important. For a beginner, this piece of information can ease the whole experience and make it more enjoyable.
Knowing what is the best time of the day, the months when you can find trouts in abundance, and how they react to different weathers, can raise your chances of catching a lot of trouts with very little effort.
So let us answer some of the most common questions about when is the best time for trout fishing.
What Is The Best Time Of Day To Catch Trout?
The best time of the day to catch trout will surely be in the early morning and evening. The trouts are not very comfortable with the sun. They have reduced light vision which makes them see better with lesser light.
So, they are most likely to start looking for food when they get the best environment. The early morning, up to 1-2 hours after sunrise, is the best time to catch trout.
The second best time is followed by the evening. Around 2-3 hours before the sun sets, the trouts can be found in abundance as they start to look out for food before the light goes out. So if you are looking for trout fishing, you should either go during the early morning or evening for better results
What Months Are Best For Trout Fishing?
The best months for trout fishing will be from March to July. Because these are the months when it is spring. Spring is the most comfortable weather.
And for trouts, it is the best time to move around as the water is not too cold or not too hot. Trout mostly doesn’t come near the surface during the summer. And During the winter they tend not to move a lot.
So if you are looking to fish for trout, March to July is your best time to do so.
Do Trout Like Rain?
Rain is probably a very good time for trout fishing. It is very much like an easy hack. During the rain, trouts generally like to move above the water for foods such as insects that have washed up in the water.
They also want to get a good amount of food in case a flood occurs. So if it is raining and cloudy with less sun, it is most probably your lucky day to go trout fishing. So if you like trout fishing, you must try it during rain at least once.
Does Wind Affect Trout Fishing?
Wind can play different roles when it comes to trout fishing. It can either help you with your fishing or it can mess it up. Most of the time, winds help you to fish. As the wind blows current in your direction, the fish also starts moving towards your baits.
In this way, you can get a lot of catches easily. But if the wind is too strong, it will most likely make faster waves, and then the trouts will go deep where the water is slow.
What Water Temperature Are Trout Most Active?
Trouts enjoy the cool water. They like to live away from the sun and where the water is cool. If the weather is hot and the water gets warm, trout do move a lot since it is very uncomfortable for them to move around in warm water.
If the water is too cold, they also don’t move around much and are most likely to stay in the same place. But in cool water, trouts move around a lot freely and closer to the surface.
This is why it is easier to fish for trout during the spring. The water is not very warm and not too cold, making it the best time for trout to move around. While it is hard to fish for trout when it is winter or summer. As during these weathers, trouts don’t move around a lot and like to stay in one place.
Tackle For Trout Fishing
You don’t require a lot of things when it comes to gearing up for fishing. All the things that you need to buy are useful in some way or another. So, to gear up for trout fishing what you need to buy is a lightweight 6-foot fishing rod, 6-4 pound monofilament line, size 8 baiting hooks, a couple of bobbers, split shot weights, swivel, lead weights, a couple of 1/16 ounce spinning lures
What Is The Best Bait For Trout?
If you are looking for the best natural bait for trouts then nothing can take the place of grasshoppers. Every trout likes to have a piece of its meat and it can easily attract a trout crowd.
You are most likely to get bigger trout if you bait it with grasshoppers. While PowerBait and flies and other small insects work well on small trouts. The bigger trouts mostly ignore these baits since they look for bigger meals.
Should You Use A Bobber When Trout Fishing?
Depending on the technique you are using bobbers can be very useful for fishing trouts. You should use bobbers if you are a beginner and learning to fish.
This way you can easily understand when the fish has taken your bait. Also, bobbers are a great help when it comes to fishing close to the surface. So you should use bobbers if you are new and looking to catch fish near the surface.
What Color Lures Do Trout Like?
Lure color can certainly increase your chances of catching fish. Trouts are like colorful lures and you are very likely to get catch a lot of trout if you use the right color for it. It is best to use colors depending on the weather.
If the weather is clear and sunny use Chrome, Metallic Ghost, Flashy & Reflective. If the weather is cloudy then use White, Red, Dark Green, and Dark & Natural Colors.
How Do You Rig For Trout?
There are different ways you can rig for trout fishing. Good rigging gives you a better chance to get the fish to take the bait and helps you catch fish easily. A very common way to rig is to attach a split shot weight in the monofilament and attach the swivel.
Attach another split shot weight and draw about 18-20 inches of leader and attach the hook to its end. Add the bait from top to bottom. Attach it with the fishing rod.
How Do You Rig A Bobber For Trout Fishing?
To rig a bobber in for trout fishing you would require a lightweight 6-foot fishing rod, 6-4 pound monofilament line, size 8 baiting hooks, a couple of bobbers, lead weights, and a couple of 1/16 ounces spinning lures.
So at first attach the monofilament line with the bobber and attach the hook 2-3 feet below. Attach a lead weight to keep the hook grounded. Now insert the bait top to bottom fully in the hook.
How Do You Rig A Nightcrawler For Trout Fishing?
To rig a nightcrawler for trout fishing, all you require is a fishing rod, size 8 baiting hooks, and a 6-4 pound monofilament line and nightcrawler. You can use a bobber if you want to, but we prefer not to use it.
Attach the monofilament line with the hook. Now, from the bottom of the nightcrawler, pierce the fishing hook up to ⅓ of the nightcrawler. The remaining ⅔ is to be kept freely hanging. Make sure ⅔ of the hook is inside the nightcrawler as well.
In this way, you can easily rig a nightcrawler for trout fishing and the fish will take the bait from the surface.
Do You Fish Up Or Downstream For Trout Fishing?
You should always try to fish upstream for trout. It is because when the trouts are downstream it is likely to see you or the trap as you are in front of it. It makes the fish aware and they don’t take the bait.
While in Upstream you are behind the trout and the trout don’t have any idea about where you are. In this way, you can easily bait the fish and catch them. Also, it is easier to control your hook upstream than downstream.