Rainbow trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
Hard-fighting and widely stocked, the go-to fish at put-and-take waters.
Also known as: Estonian vikerforell, Finnish kirjolohi, Norwegian regnbueørret, Swedish regnbåge.
- Typical size
- 30 to 45 cm
- A big one
- Stocked fish can run well past 2 kg
- Where it lives
- Stocked lakes and ponds, and some rivers
- Best time
- Most of the year at managed fisheries
- Common methods
- Fly, spinners, spoons, and float-fished bait
About the rainbow trout
Rainbow trout are the workhorse of managed still-water fisheries. Widely stocked, quick to grow and always up for a fight, they are the fish that turns a spare afternoon into a full bend in the rod. A pink flank and a hard first run make them a favourite for newcomers and fly anglers alike.
Catching rainbow trout
At a stocked water, find the depth the fish are holding at and keep your retrieve varied until something works. A slow figure-of-eight or a few sharp pulls will often trigger a follow into a take. They fight hard near the net, so do not rush the last few metres.
Before you fish: closed seasons, minimum sizes and catch limits differ by country and by water, and they change. Always check the current local rules and buy any licence you need before you go.
Log your rainbow trout in FishandBeer
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