Your Rainbow Trout FAQ

##Get to know your fish

We are lucky enough to have Rainbow trout, a hard-fighting game fish here in Colorado! These fish are beautiful and very distinctive. Their coloring depends on age, season, and habitat. This trout has a very distinctive red stripe down its side and typically are a yellow-green to blue-green color. The average size of a Rainbow trout is 8 pounds and around 20-30 inches long but they can get much bigger depending on their habitat.

##Rainbow Trout

Rainbow trout are not native to Colorado, but they have been swimming the lakes, streams, and rivers since the 1880’s. Trout are not native in their normal habitats, they have been placed there and/or taken care of by humans. These fish prefer clear water that is cool, but some have made it out to the ocean through streams. These fish are commonly used to stock ponds and lakes as they are a great fish to eat and hunt. Rainbow trout survive off of small fish, crustaceans, and insects. These fish are not endangered and are considered to be healthy fish.

##Catching Rainbow Trout

Trout are known for their incredible sense of smell, awaken rainbow trout by baiting a hook with fresh live bait, a temptation they will not be able to resist. There are all types of baits out there to choose from including nightcrawlers, minnows, artificial bait, salmon eggs, and many more. You may want to pack different baits, some fish may prefer one lure and another may want something different. Some rainbow trout may even prefer insects, because they are familiar with insects and like the movement of them. If you are not a fly fisherman, are not skilled, and not prepared for the trout’s fast bite, insects may not be the best choice for you. Minnows can be a great choice for beginners as they are something the rainbow trout would normally hunt for food.

When throwing your line into rivers with the bait you should always cast upstream, focus on areas with the least amount of current activity and mimic what the natural fish or insect would do in the water.

Lakes are different than rivers when fishing for rainbow trout because there is typically less current activity. That means more space and time for the fish to decide if they truly want to go for your bait. Rainbow trout like cold water. Search for areas that are deep. Shallow areas are typically hotter due to the sun, making the coolest parts of the day such as early morning and night a great time to start your hunt.

If you are looking for a place to have your trout-fishing adventures, visit our website to see some stunning Colorado locations.