Fishing for trout requires knowledge of a few key things before casting out your line and hoping for a big bite. On top of knowing a trout’s diet and habits, understanding their habitat is important. Knowing what bodies of water trout can be found in, and the kind of cover they like to be near can make or break a fishing trip.
We’ve gathered all the info we can about trout habitats, including where in the country they can be found, what features they like, and the best habitats for trophy fish! Find out everything you need to know here!
Where Can Trout Be Found?
Trout can be found in most lakes and streams in North America thanks to fish farming and fish stocking across the country. Several different species are native to the continent, and all of them have similar habitat needs.
Rainbow Trout
There are a few different native species found originally on the West coast of the country, but the rainbow trout is the most well-known species and the one that comes to mind when trout are brought up. Their name comes from the pink stripe that runs along the side of their body, and the fish is speckled on top with a silver or white underside.
Rainbow trout are native on the Pacific coast of North America, and their natural range runs from Alaska all the way down to Mexico. The popularity of the rainbow trout led to farming and the introduction to bodies of water all over North America. The fish can now be found in southern Canada, all of the Great Lakes, and in bodies of water as far south as Georgia.
Rainbow trout thrive in waters that stay cooler throughout the year, ranging from 50 to 60 degrees, but they can tolerate temperature ranges from 25 to 70 degrees. They’re able to be found in riparian areas, the forested portions of rivers and streams, as well as lakes that are moderately deep and cool, with adequate amounts of shade.
Cutthroat Trout
Cutthroat trout get their name from the red coloration behind their gills. They’re normally an olive in color with black specks like rainbow trout. They’re not as well recognized as the rainbow trout but are still a viable option when looking to go trout fishing.
Cutthroat’s natural range is from the Pacific coast to the Rocky Mountains. Their range doesn’t run as far north and south as the rainbow trout does, but they can be found as far north as Canada, and as far south as New Mexico. As far as introductions to environments go, the cutthroat trout has been introduced into waterways in Quebec and parts of the northeastern United States.
Brown Trout
Brown trout are actually an invasive species in North America, their native habitat is actually parts of Europe. In terms of appearance, they look fairly different from the other trout on this list. They look more salmon-like, and rather than having the black specks that the other trout have, they have brown spots with silver rings around them. The fish can be brown, golden, or even silver in appearance depending on their location.
As stated before, brown trout were brought to North America from Europe. Their native range is actually in Germany. They’ve been introduced to many parts of North America, and range from Canada down to Georgia on the east coast. On the western half of the continent, brown trout range from Colorado west to California, and into the northern part of the continent into southwestern Canada.
What Features Do Trout Like to Be Near?
Trout need diverse habitats, with lots of different features. They like having a variety of depths, flows, and substrates in their habitats. The forested areas that trout like provide a number of different features suitable for their lives.
Complex Systems
Trout enjoy having stable streambanks that don’t erode into the water, as they like having clear water to hunt in. Wooded areas provide opportunity for different water flow and stream channels, as well. The root systems from forested areas also filter pollutants from runoff and prevent them from entering the water that the trout prefer to live in.
“Messy” Areas
While fishing in a clear, clean channel may be appealing to the fisherman, it isn’t appealing to the trout. Trout need large obstructions in their habitat, like downed trees and boulders. These provide cover to the trout, as well as a good place for their prey to live.
Interconnected Waterways
Trout need their habitats to be interconnected in most cases. Trout thrive when they have the ability to move from location to location to suit their needs. As seasons change, water temperatures will change as well, and the fish may need to move to areas that provide cooler waters. During spawning season, trout will want to move to bodies of water that have the appropriate substrate and gravel for building nests and laying eggs.
Proper Conditions
There are several different conditions that a trout needs to be satisfied in their habitat. First, the water needs to be clear. Trout are a predatory fish, and rely on eyesight to do their feeding. Clear water allows them to hunt efficiently. The water needs to be cool, no warmer than 70 degrees. The river bottom needs to consist of gravel. This is specifically for spawning and nesting. The gravel needs to be able to be moved by the female fish so that eggs can be laid, and then covered once in the redd (the nest).
Lakes
Lakes are a little bit different than rivers and streams are when it comes to trout preferences. When trout are introduced to lakes, they do best when the water is moderately deep and cool, with plenty of obstructions in the water. Trout behavior changes when they’re in a body of water that doesn’t flow. They become more timid, and prefer to have areas in which they feel safe and undercover. Examples of this can be thicker vegetation, downed trees, and large boulders. The water still needs to be clear, however.
Where is the Best Habitat to Fish For Trout?
The answer to this question is entirely dependent upon the body of water you’re fishing in. Trout are able to be found in different manners in their two different habitats.
Rivers and Streams
When fishing for trout in rivers and streams, you’ll want to find waters that aren’t moving too quickly for the fish to hunt. Typically, trout will sit behind obstructions and wait for the current to bring the food to them. The best places to find trout in moving bodies of water are behind rocks or amidst downed trees, in deeper pools that are naturally occurring, or in steep banks. The best time for fishing in rivers and streams is autumn or spring, as the fish tend to stay in the cooler waters provided by the streams and rivers. It’s worth noting that the trout you’ll find in rivers and streams are going to be natural trout, not stocked fish.
Lakes and Ponds
Fishing in lakes and ponds changes the way you’ll need to look for trout. While they’ll need to travel the water to find prey, they’ll still congregate around structures that provide cover from predators. To find them while they’re hunting, you’ll want to spend time around aquatic vegetation, logs or fallen trees, and in deeper water. Deeper water is particularly important especially in summer months when the fish are looking for cooler water.