Know your Trout

[Mikey]

About Trout (Oncorhynchus, Salmo and Salvelinus)
Trout is a term used for several types of fish that are a part of one of three genera: oncorhyunchus, salmo or salvelinus. They live in freshwater, but some trout do spend time out in the ocean and return to freshwater to spawn, just like salmon, which trout are closely related to. Several common types of trout are brown trout, lake trout, rainbow trout and steelhead. A trout’s diet usually consist of other fish and aquatic invertebrates. When a trout reaches over 12 inches they’ll usually only feed on smaller fish. Trout are a very popular game fish and many state wildlife agencies stock lakes, ponds and streams with trout for anglers to catch.
You can locate trout in lakes and streams with cool water. The ideal temperature range is 50 to 60 degrees. Juvenile trout can also be known as fry, troutlet and troutling. They tend to mature around 2 to 3 years of age. The lifespan on trout depends on the species. For example, a rainbow trout can live up to 7 years while lake trout can live for several decades. The color variation of trout varies greatly and is dependent on the type of trout you’re looking to catch. Trout are not only popular with anglers, they are also popular on the dinner table. Trout, along with its close relatively salmon are a common staple in many American’s diets.

You can find these tips below. They were put together by our team who researched them and then tested them out in the field. We hope they are as effective for you as they were for us!  

• Know the Current – If you understand how a river or stream is shaped by moving water you’ll be able to find trout very easily. Deep pools created by the current can hold a big trout, but smaller trout can also be found in them. The large trout will most likely be in these pools during dawn and dusk.
  
• Choose Your Lures Wisely – It’s really important to pick the right lures. Using the wrong type could make you miss out on opportunities. For optimal performance, we recommend the Panther Martin Spinning Lures.
  
• Power Bait ONLY Works on Stocked Trout – If you’re fishing for trout with powerbait then you better make sure the trout in that body of water were stocked (farm raised) and not native. Native trout will not bite on powerbait, the only reason stocked trout will is because they are fed pellets in the hatchery and will eat anything that resembles or smells like the pellets.
  
• The Best Live Bait – Hands down night crawlers are an effective live bait for catching trout, along with minnows and crayfish. A neat trick is to take a look at what lives on the shore of where you’re fishing for trout and see what might be native to their lunch or dinner menu. Mayflies, when native to the area, can be deadly during the fall season.
  
• The Silver Spoon – Trout, especially lake trout love to bite on a small silver spoon. The best way to use this to your advantage is to buy a lure that mimics a spoon. Our top choice is the Kastaway Trophy Spoon.
  

Trout Fishing Records

Listed below are the world record trout caught by fishermen just like you. This data comes directly from the IGFA (International Game Fish Association). These type of fishing records don’t change often and we do try to keep this section updated. To see if one of the below trout records were broken you should visit the IGFA website, below we’ve provided a link to it in the bottom section called Additional Resources for Trout Fishing. Hopefully one day we’ll see your name listed below for a record trout!

Llyod Bull caught a lake trout (salvelinus namaycush) in Great Bear Lake located in Canada on August 19th, 1995 that weighed 32.65 kg (72 lbs. 0 oz.)
Sean Konrad caught a rainbow trout (onocorhynchus mykiss) in Lake Diefenbaker located in Canada on September 5th, 2009 that weighed 21.77 kg (48 lbs. 0 oz.
Chas Reed caught a golden trout (oncorhynchus aguabonita) in Cooks Lake located in Wyoming, USA on August 5th, 1948 that weighed 4.98 kg (11 lbs. 0 oz.)
N. Higgins caught a bull trout (salvelinus confluentus) in Lake Pend Oreille located in Idaho, USA on October 27th, 1949 that weighed 14.51 kg (32 lbs. 0 oz)
Dr. W. Cook caught a brook trout (salvelinus fontinalis) in the Nipigon River located in Canada on July 1st, 1916 that weighed 6.57 kg (14 lbs. 8 oz.)
John Skimmerhorn caught a cutthroat trout (oncorhynchus clarki) in Pyramid Lake located in Nevada, USA on December 1st, 1925 that weighed 18.59 kg (41 lbs. 0 oz.)