Common trout species in Oregon size from 11-inches long in small streams up to 30 inches in larger rivers and lakes. While brown trout have a Trout varied diet, anglers targeting large brown trout often use spinners or flies that mimic minnows. Fishing Anglers can experience a lifetime of varied and rewarding adventures fishing for trout in Oregon’s shaded coastal streams, alpine lakes, urban ponds and high desert rivers. Rainbow Rainbow trout are the most widely stocked and distributed ore people in l at stream inlets where trout in Oregon. They occur naturally in many rivers and MOregon fish for trout streams flowing into than for any other kind of the lake or pond are streams and are stocked in ponds and lakes. They are Cutthroat fish. Each year millions bringing cool fresh highly variable in color, often silvery, with light pink to Cutthroat trout get their name from the red-oranges of fish are caught by water and a likely red stripe along sides. The can reach up to 30 inches in slashes on the underside of the lower jaw. The most young children catching supply of food length. Rainbow trout prefer cold, clear water and are common variety available to most anglers is the coastal their first fish and by l deeper waters most often found in water 45-60 degrees Fahrenheit. cutthroat found in many streams and beaver ponds long-time anglers with especially in the warm in coastal drainages. Trout that remain in the stream Their diet consists of minnows, crayfish, insects, and years of experience. summer months when year round may not get any bigger than 8- or 9-inches other small aquatic life, making them susceptible to a They’re caught in ponds, trout are looking for long but reward the angler with an aggressive bite and well-presented spinner, flatfish or fly. lakes and rivers. They’re cooler water as well enthusiastic fight. The sea-run strain that travels to caught with worms, as protection from saltwater to feed may reach an impressive 17 inches. spinners, flies and lures. overhead predators License The best time of year to requirements trout fish in many lower elevation lakes is in the A general Oregon Angling spring and fall when the License is all that’s water is cooler and the required to fish for trout. trout are more active. This Redband Rainbow Youth 12-17 years old also is when most lakes Redband trout are a subspecies of rainbow trout need a youth license and are stocked. In the warm indigenous to Central Oregon and adapted to the arid kids under 12 fish for free. conditions east of the Cascades. They inhabit cool summer months, anglers Brook streams and rivers as well as some lakes, and they can Where and when can look for trout in cooler grow up to 18-inches long. Brook trout are an introduced fish species that were deeper waters, or in high mountain lakes that remain cool. first stocked in the early 1900s. While technically not a to fish In warmer parts of the state, such as the Willamette Valley Trout are widely distributed and can be found in almost trout (they are a member of the char family), their life or along the coast, trout fishing in lakes or ponds can be any water body that provides: history, ecology and habitat are similar to brown and good well into the winter months—for anglers hardy enough rainbow trout. Brook trout are widely distributed from high l cool, clean water to brave cold and wet weather. mountain lakes to headwater tributaries. They are the l food such as aquatic insects, minnows and crawfish most prevalent game fish in both wilderness and non- l cover and protection from predators Finding trout in rivers and streams wilderness high lakes. In small streams and high lakes Trout habitats are often divided into lakes and ponds In moving waters, trout tend to hold in one spot and wait brook trout are typically small – 5- to-7 inches long. In (stillwaters) or rivers and streams (moving waters). Fish for the water current to bring food to them. A primary larger streams and rivers they can reach more than location, behavior and fishing tactics will vary depending food source for these fish is aquatic insects adrift in the 25 inches. Brown on whether you’re fishing in stillwaters or moving waters. current. In addition to looking for food and protection These nonnative trout, introduced in the U.S. in 1883, Because insect larvae and nymphs make up a large from predators, trout in moving waters are also looking have a reputation for being wily and elusive. While they part of their diet, they are a favorite target of fly fishers Finding trout in lakes and ponds for a place to rest from the current. So some likely places prefer cold spring-fed rivers and streams, and lakes with who use flies mimicking these insects. However, these In stillwaters trout are on the move, “cruising” the water to look for trout in rivers and streams include: cold water inlets, brown trout also can be more tolerant aggressive biters will also go after a variety of other baits looking for food. At the same time, trout don’t want to l behind rocks or other structure HINT: Look for water of warmer streams and lakes. These trout can range in and lures. get too far away from cover that offers protection from where the surface is textured with bumps or riffles, which predators. Some likely places to look for trout in lakes are often created as water flows over rocks and boulders www.odfw.com and ponds include: on the river bed. l near or above aquatic vegetation l near steep or undercut banks l around logs, stumps, rocks or other structure l in deeper, slower pools OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE Most rivers and streams fish best in the spring and cast out. The lead weight will sink, but the bait will float However, most trout in rivers and streams are wild fish fall when water temperatures are cooler. Very few up and hover 1 ½ above the bottom of the lake. that reproduce naturally. Some anglers prefer to release Knotsense rivers and streams are stocked, so you’ll be fishing for l Retrieving a spinner, spoon or fly. Spinners mimic small these fish so they can be caught again, or perhaps Tips for tying better knots naturally reproducing or wild fish. As the water gets minnows, leeches and other favorite trout food. When reproduce. In a handful of rivers and lakes, catch-and- More fish are probably lost because of improperly tied knots warmer, look for trout in faster riffles where the water fishing a spinner or spoon, cast it over likely looking release fishing is required. If you’re going to release the than any other single reason. Yet anglers who spend hours gets re-oxygenated at it tumbles over rocks. Some water. Let it sink for a minute then begin reeling it in fish you catch, here are some tips for doing it safely: practicing their casting, studying entomology or tying flies often rivers, especially in Central Oregon, are open for trout (retrieving). Vary the amount of time you let the spinner l Use barbless hooks. neglect this simple and, ok, boring fundamental. But if tying year round. Fishing can be good in the winter months sink and the speed of the retrieve until you find the l Land the fish quickly, before it tires too much. better knots might help us land more fish, it makes sense to – for hardy anglers willing to brave the cold and snow – combination that catches fish. Knots You Need to Know l Wet your hands before handling the fish, and try not to give knot tying a little more attention. but look for trout in slow, calm waters where they don’t Knots You NeedFishing toremove Know knots it allow from you the to properlywater. tie your line to your hook lure, and have to fight the current. Five pointers for tying better knots: Knots You Needlother toIf you’re Know tackle. Thesegoing knots to takeare easy a tophoto, tie and haveare especially the camera good for nylonset Fishing knots allow youmonofilament, to properly tie theyour most line commonlyto your hook used lure, line and for all fishing. Remember to 1) Learn to tie a few simple knots well. Tackle for trout fishing other tackle. These knotsand are easy the to scene tie and are composed especially good before for nylon lifting the fish out of Fishing knots allow you wetto properly knots with tie yoursaliva line as you to your pull hookthem lure,tight. and This prevents damage to the There are dozens of knots for the angler. They publish whole monofilament, the most commonlythe water used and line quickly for all fishing. taking Remember the picture. to The list of necessary trout fishing gear and equipment other tackle. These knotsline are and easy allows to tie the and knot are toespecially pull tight. good for nylon books with nothing but pictures of how to tie knots. But start with wet knots with saliva asl youUse pull needle-nosed them tight. This prevents pliers damageor hemostats to the to remove the can be very simple. A rod and reel, and a small monofilament, the most commonly used line for all fishing. Remember to just three knots, and learn how to tie them really well. Some line and allows the knotArbor to pull Knot tight.