The Rainbow Trout
The Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) is a cold-water sport fish found throughout western New York. Rainbow trout typically range between 8 and 16 inches in length and can be identified by their olive-colored back, silver body, and pink or purple to sometimes deep red stripe that runs horizontally from cheek to anal fin on either side of the fish.
Rainbow trout and steelhead are the same species of fish. However, the term “steelhead” is used to refer to the rainbow trout found in Lake Erie and Ontario that are anadromous, meaning that they swim up creeks and rivers from the Great Lakes to spawn. This article focuses on the rainbow trout that reside permanently in streams and creeks across western New York and do not venture into lakes Erie or Ontario. There is a separate article for steelhead.
Habitat
Rainbow trout prefer the cold, clean, well-oxygenated water of streams and creeks, especially those that are spring fed. Lakes and ponds that are fed from cold springs are also able to support rainbow trout. Because rainbow trout are a cold-water fish species, they generally cannot survive year-round in creeks or lakes that become hotter than about 70 degrees in the summer.
In streams and creeks, rainbow trout are typically found in deep pools, especially those with cover. During low-light periods, rainbow trout will sometimes venture into shallower parts of the stream or runs to feed.
The size of a stream or creek governs the size of the resident rainbow trout. Small streams will generally support smaller trout because of a smaller forage base. In many of the streams here in western New York, rainbow trout may only average about 8 or 9 inches. Larger streams will generally contain larger fish, but small streams can occasionally produce large rainbow trout of 16 inches or longer.
Food
Rainbow trout generally feed on insects, with larger trout feeding on other fish as well if they are available in the stream or lake. In creeks and streams, rainbow trout commonly feed on nymphs, which are the larvae of aquatic insects. Rainbow trout will also feed on insects that fall into the water. On summer evenings or in the early morning, one can often witness rainbow trout sipping insects off the surface of the water.
Where to Catch Rainbow Trout
Wild rainbow trout, those born from natural reproduction and not stocked from a fish hatchery, are found primarily in the cold spring-fed streams of southern Erie, Wyoming, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Allegany Counties. There is a nice list of wild trout streams on the New York State DEC website: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/29286.html
Some waters in western New York receive an annual stocking of trout from a fish hatchery to augment naturally reproducing populations, while other waters cannot support naturally reproducing populations and rely solely on stocking to supply fish for anglers. Stocked rainbow trout can be found in almost every county in western New York in the springtime when bodies of water without natural populations of rainbow trout are stocked with fish from a hatchery. There is a nice list of stocked trout streams on the New York State DEC website: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/31596.html There is also a list of all bodies of water that are stocked with trout annually on the New York State DEC website: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/30465.html
Stocked trout from a hatchery are generally larger on average than wild trout that were born from natural reproduction in the lake or stream. Sometimes, fish hatcheries will stock fish that were used for breeding at the hatchery. These “breeder” trout can be remarkably large. Pictured below is a breeder trout that was caught in Allegany State Park in Cattaraugus County.
How to Catch Rainbow Trout
Fly-fishing is one popular method for targeting rainbow trout in creeks and streams. Productive baits for rainbow trout on the fly include black or brown nymphs, size 14-20, fished under an indicator. Split-shot weight should be added depending on how fast the water is moving and whether or not the nymph is weighted with a bead head. In the early morning or evening hours, dry flies such as caddis patterns, tricos, or mayflies can be used to catch fish sipping bugs off the surface.
For the spin fisherman, small Mepps® spinners are popular lures. Fishing worms on a small hook with some split shot is also good strategy. When fishing lakes or ponds, spin fishing is probably the best way to go. Rainbow trout can be caught on worms or Berkley Powerbait® fished off the bottom or under a bobber.
Spring and fall are the best times to target rainbow trout, when the weather is cool and creeks and streams have decent flows. Fishing in the dog days of summer when creeks are warm and low is extremely challenging and can put extra stain on fish, which is detrimental to their health.
