Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Body Type: Streamlined and torpedo-shaped with a distinctive pink-to-red lateral stripe running gill to tail. Back is dark olive-green to blue with black spots scattered across the back, sides, and all fins. Hatchery fish are generally silver and lighter than wild specimens which display vivid color.

Preferred Water Temperature: 50°F–65°F. Feed most aggressively between 55°F–62°F. Become stressed above 70°F; avoid fishing them in water above 68°F to ensure survival when releasing.

Habitat: Clear, cold, well-oxygenated mountain streams, tailwaters below dams, and deep cold lakes. In rivers they hold in tail-outs of pools, behind mid-current boulders, and in seams between fast and slow water. In lakes they suspend at the thermocline following temperature layers seasonally.

Best Lures: Inline spinners (Panther Martin, Rooster Tail) in gold, silver, or rainbow are universally effective. Small spoons like the Kastmaster and Little Cleo produce in lakes. Floating Rapala minnows in silver or gold work in rivers and at lake inlets. Micro jigs (1/32–1/8 oz) with curly-tail grubs produce in pressured water. Powerbait-style floating dough in chartreuse catches stocked fish from shore.

Best Baits: PowerBait floating dough (chartreuse, rainbow, yellow) is the top bait for hatchery fish on a size 10–14 hook fished off bottom. Single salmon eggs on a size 14 hook produce in streams. Nightcrawlers under a split shot work year-round. Wax worms and mealworms produce in cold conditions. Crickets catch fish in summer.

Size & Weight: Wild stream fish typically run 8–14 inches and 0.5–2 lbs. Lake and tailwater fish reach 5–10 lbs regularly. Steelhead (sea-run Rainbows) reach 20+ lbs. All-tackle world record: 48 lbs from Lake Diefenbaker, Saskatchewan.

Top 5 Places to Catch Rainbow Trout: 1. Madison River, Montana — legendary wild trout with consistent 16–20 inch fish 2. Henry's Fork (Snake River), Idaho — famous for large, selective wild rainbows 3. Deschutes River, Oregon — outstanding native redsides and summer steelhead 4. White River, Arkansas — world-class tailwater fishery below Bull Shoals Dam 5. South Platte River, Colorado — Gold Medal waters with trophy fish to 8+ lbs