Rainbow Trout

The AZFGD stock over 3 million rainbow trout a year in various lakes and streams throughout Arizona. These trout come from state hatcheries including:

• Page Springs
• Canyon Creek
• Tonto Creek

All of these hatcheries are open for visitors, although no fishing is allowed at hatchery. But there is a Rainbow Trout Farm in Sedona, Arizona where you can fish for trout! No license is required and it's open 7 days a week.

The largest rainbow trout caught in Arizona weighed 15 lbs 9.12 oz and measured 32.5 inches. It was caught last year in Willow Springs Lake on the Mogollon Rim. This catch holds the official state record.

However, back in 1966 a 21 lb 5.5 oz rainbow trout was caught in the Colorado River near Willow Beach.

Several of our Urban lakes are stocked with trophy size trout once a year. A special Urban fishing license is required to fish for them, but this is a great opportunity to experience the trophy catch!

Rainbow Trout Facts

Rainbow trout are officially known as Oncorhynchus mykiss and they are part of the Salmonidae family. They were brought to Arizona in 1898 and have thrived ever since.

Rainbow trout typically range between 6 and 36 inches in size and weigh anywhere from a few ounces to 10 pounds!

They are easily identified by their silvery and rainbow colors along with the red stripe (or band) that runs down their side. Because of this red stripe, rainbow trout have also been called, redband trout.

Other names you commonly hear for rainbows include: silver trout, steelhead trout, and redsides. There are a few other names, but they're not very common.

Steelhead trout are actually the saltwater version of rainbow trout. Although born in freshwater streams, once they make their way to the ocean, these rainbow trout become officially known as Steelhead.

Steelheads will migrate back to freshwater to spawn and some remain there after spawning. Despite this, they are still referred to as steelhead trout. Once they've been in the ocean, they remain steelhead trout for life.

Feeding Habits

In their natural habitat, rainbow trout feed on aquatic and terrestrial insects as well as other small fish (normally called baitfish). Common natural food sources include worms, grasshoppers, ants, beetles, crickets, damsel flies, mayflies, salmon eggs, etc.

These food sources are naturally found near trout waters and often make their way into the feeding zone (usually by accident).

Rainbow trout are also accustomed to biting on several artificial baits including:

• PowerBait (or other dough bait)
• Plastic PowerWorms
• Corn
• Marshmallows
• Cheese
• Spinners and lures

There are a lot of fly fishers in Arizona and so as you'd expect, artificial flies also work well when catching rainbow trout.

Rainbow trout are very sensitive to water temperature. They prefer water temps in the 50 - 68 degree Fahrenheit range. When water temps are less than 45 degrees, trout become very lethargic. When water temps rise above 70 degrees, trout begin to suffocate.

This is because water temperature affects the oxygenation levels in the water and therefore a trout's metabolism. Trout need cool oxygenated water to survive - and when that water temp is in their comfort zone, they'll actively feed. When water temps are outside that comfort zone, trout become more concerned with survival than feeding.

Our warm summer months present the biggest challenge to trout fishing in Arizona (especially in the lower elevations). In order to keep catching trout, a boat is often needed to get out to deeper water. Fish finders also become a great resource in the summer months. These electronic gadgets not only tell you where the fish are, but at what depth also.

Rainbow Trout Fishing Tips

Catching rainbow trout is perhaps the easiest of all the trout species. Still, it can be a challenge (especially in the summer months). Here are some tips to help you catch more rainbow trout:

Rainbow Trout Tip #1

Fish in the early morning or early evening hours. This is especially important in summer months. Shore fishing tends to become poor after 10:30 a.m. during the summer and doesn't start picking up again til around 5 p.m. or 6 p.m.

Rainbow Trout Tip #2

When the weather gets hot, get a boat and find the deep and cool part of the lake. Use a fish finder if you have one. You might as well give up shore fishing in areas where the water temp is above 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

Rainbow Trout Tip #3

PowerBait (all colors), worms, and salmon eggs tend to work really well when catching rainbow trout in Arizona. Small spinners and lures do to. Adding a dab of trout attractant to your baited hook or spinner will also help improve your chances of catching trout.

Rainbow Trout Tip #4

Rainbow trout are picking eaters - so pay attention if anybody else is catching any. I've seen days where Rainbow trout would only hit white PowerBait and ignore other colors (which is why we all tend to carry as many colors as we can with us).

Rainbow Trout Tip #5

Hatchery trout are used to shallow water, so on the day they're released into the lake they tend to stay close to shore the first day or two. And they're pretty easy to catch! This is a great time to take the kids fishing!

Rainbow Trout Tip #6

Spring and Fall our traditionally the best seasons to catch rainbow trout in Arizona. The actual months vary a bit depending on elevation, but this is generally true.

Rainbow Trout Tip #7

When rigging your fishing pole, 4 - 6 pound test line is generally best. Hooks size 10- 14 work well. Leaders are typically 12 - 18 inches in length. Most people attach a small snap swivel between the end of the line and the leader.

If you're bottom fishing, put a small 1/4 oz or 1/2 oz slip sinker just above the swivel. Otherwise you can clip a bobber just above the swivel.

For more trout fishing tips, check out TroutFishingHelp.com

Rainbow Trout Stockings

Want to know when their stocking the lake? You can view the stocking schedule on the AZFGD web.