The Rainbow Trout is a member of the Salmonidae family, native to the cold-water tributaries of the Pacific Ocean in Asia and North America; however, they have been introduced for food or sport in at least 45 countries and every continent except Antarctica. Rainbow Trout are so-called because of the vivid colours they possess, featuring a very distinct red or pink lateral line, with blue-green flanks and black spotting over the length of the body.
Resident freshwater Rainbows usually inhabit well-oxygenated, shallow rivers, whereas lake Trout tend to live in moderately deep, cool water lakes. In both cases, their food source is the same. The fish feed on a diet of aquatic insects, typically caddisflies, stoneflies, and mayflies; however, they will also feast on fish eggs and forms of terrestrial insects that fall into the water. Rainbows living in rivers and streams tend to average around 1lb to 5lb, but the lake-dwelling and anadromous forms grow lots larger, and fish of over 20lb are often caught and landed by fly anglers.
Rainbow Trout are an exciting game fish and a favourite amongst many freshwater fly fishing anglers; they are also the most commonly caught of all the Trout species. They provide a challenge for the angler and can be pretty shy and spook easily, however once hooked; they are fantastic fighters, often jumping clear of the water; they’re delightful on light, balanced tackle. A bonus to many Trout fishing experiences is the areas they inhabit are usually very scenic mountains and rivers.
Below are the top destinations in the world for Rainbow Trout Fishing.
This exclusive Sportquest-hosted trip ventures into the Alaskan wilderness, to the famous Goodnews River Lodge. This exciting freshwater fly fishing adventure offers travelling rods the opportunity to target and catch all five Pacific Salmon species, as well as Rainbow Trout, Arctic Char and even Dolly Varden.
Alaska Trophy Adventures Lodge is the perfect wilderness fishing retreat. Boasting a world-famous run of all five species of Pacific Salmon, plus a host of resident fish, such as Leopard Rainbow Trout, Arctic Char and Grayling. No set itineraries fish with your guides each day for the species of your choice.
If you are looking for a Fishing Lodge that puts you and the fishing first, then look no further. Goodnews River Lodge is the ONLY full-service lodge on the entire river system. Experience the solitude and peaceful beauty of Alaska; it’s just you and the fish. No crowds, no flying to the “best” river. It’s all here on the Goodnews River.
Located on the Kanektok River, only 5.5 miles from its mouth is by all standards a remarkably diverse fishery. Perfectly suited to both single-hand and spey anglers, offering one of Alaska’s best opportunities to catch Salmon where high catch-rates and easy wading is the norm.
Jurassic Lodge is strategically situated on a protected bay only a stone's throw away from the mouth of Barrancoso River, and it's here where you will find some of the most outstanding freshwater fly fishing spots in the world and one of those magical, mystical places where most fly anglers dream of fishing.
Rapids Camp sits right on the bank of the famous Naknek River and offers everyone their own private room. This is the most diverse and flexible lodge in Alaska, where you the customer, decide what to fish for in your itinerary each day. All five species of Salmon plus huge Rainbows make this lodge very popular.
At Mission Lodge, you are never fixed to a set itinerary. Each night the head guide will sit down with you to discuss what you wish to fish for and how they will then explain all the different options. With over 40 boats stashed within fly distance from the lodge, one thing for certain is you will not be short of places to fish.
Bristol Bay Lodge is a fishing paradise for Salmon fishing, each year 40-50 million Sockeye Salmon enter the waters. If you want to experience this spectacular sport, we have the perfect location for you. Bristol Bay Lodge is a fly-out lodge giving you access to many remote unreachable rivers and unbelievable fishing.
No-See-Um Lodge is ranked among the finest Alaskan fly-out fly-fishing operations for over 30 years. The Holman family has a well-earned reputation for pampering its guests. John and his team have many years of experience in fishing and guiding in Alaska. They know the best fishing spots and how to get you there safely.
Futa Lodge is absolutely the most romantic lodge in the world, which sleeps a maximum of six anglers. With its remoteness, stunning mountains and free rising, very obedient Brown and Rainbow Trout, this will feel like a dream. Fishing itself is some of the purest wild fly-fishing for Rainbows and Browns anywhere in the world.
Average Customer Satisfaction Score 85%
Name: Rainbow Trout
Also Known as: Steelhead, Rainbows
Scientific Name: Oncorhynchus Mykiss
Rainbow Trout are often regarded as the prettiest Trout variety. These fish, although the name suggests, are traditionally khaki or dark olive green with heavy speckled black spotting over the length of the body, with adult fish adorning a pinky-reddish streak along the lateral line, often called “The Blush”. However, colouration varies widely based on subspecies, forms, and habitat.
The growth rate of a Rainbow Trout completely depends on its environment. Trout in much colder and less food-rich streams can sometimes only gain from 17-20g in one year, whereas Trout in lakes with high food counts can sometimes gain 300-550g in a year. Most Rainbows mature at the age of 4 and will start to prepare for the spawning season.
The spawning season for Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) typically occurs in the spring when water temperatures increase, and in a similar fashion to its close relative, the Salmon, females dig shallow nests called “redds” in gravelly streambeds where they deposit their eggs. Males fertilize the eggs by releasing milt over them. After spawning, the fertilized eggs are covered with gravel for protection and will incubate for several weeks before hatching. Some Rainbows, rather than spawn, will take themselves to sea, transforming into a Steelhead, another popular viable fly fishing target for many anglers worldwide. These Steelhead typically will spend anywhere from 6 months to 3 years before returning back to freshwater to spawn. If you’re looking to learn more about Steelhead, you can find the full species page here.
When it comes to diet, being a predator, Rainbows have an extensive and varied diet but will generally feed on most things they can catch. Aquatic insects like mayflies, stoneflies, and caddisflies make up most of their diet, as do other insects like ants, grasshoppers, and beetles. As the fish grow, other prey, including small shrimp, crayfish, and fish fry, also start to become viable food sources.
Fact: Both Rainbows and Steelhead always try to return to spawn in the same part of the river they originally hatched from.
Rainbow Trout are native to rivers and lakes along the west coast of North America; however, since the 1880s, the Rainbow has been introduced worldwide, where they have created their own self-sustaining populations, with these fish being present on all continents, bar Antarctica.
Alaska is one of the best locations in the world to target and catch Rainbow Trout, with many famous lodges such as Goodnews River Lodge and ATA (Alaska Trophy Adventures) Lodge offering one of the best opportunities to target this species. On top of being found in well-oxygenated, shallow rivers, the Rainbow Trout also thrives in still waters, with our destination, Jurassic Lake in Argentina, being known to produce specimen-sized fish well into the 20lb range regularly.
The best time to target Rainbow Trout in Alaska and Argentina varies due to their differing climates and seasons. In Alaska, the peak time for Rainbow Trout fishing is typically from late June through September, coinciding with the warmer months when Trout are most active. This period also aligns with the Salmon runs, which provide an abundant food source, making Trout more aggressive and easier to catch.
In Argentina, particularly in the famed Patagonian region, the prime season for Rainbow Trout is during the Southern Hemisphere’s summer, from November to April. During these months, the weather is ideal, and the Trout are highly active in the clear, cold waters of Patagonia’s rivers and lakes.
Our top Rainbow Trout fishing destinations:
Goodnews River Lodge Alaska
Alaska Trophy Adventures Lodge
Jurassic Lake Argentina
Fact: Rainbow Trout are a non-native species in Europe that are farmed in almost every country and are the most produced aquaculture finfish in the EU.
Unlike other species, the Rainbow Trout mainly uses their sense of smell over sight when it comes to feeding, allowing them to thrive in murky conditions. However, they use their sight in clear bodies of water to spot prey on the move. They are generally most active during low light conditions, making early morning and late afternoon the prime feeding times. During these periods, the lower light levels encourage more insect activity, which in turn triggers the Trout to feed more aggressively.
When it comes to targeting this species, the ideal setup includes a medium-action fly rod in the 4# to 6# weight range, which offers the right balance of sensitivity and power for handling fish of various sizes. The reel should have a smooth, reliable drag system, which is crucial for handling the quick, powerful runs Rainbow Trout is known for. While they generally don’t require a reel with excessive backing capacity, having around 50 to 100 yards of backing is sufficient in most cases.
Moving on down to the buisness end, there is a wide variety of flies that will be applicable to Rainbow Trout. Their primary diet comprises various aquatic and terrestrial insects, small fish, and crustaceans. They feed on aquatic insects such as mayflies, caddisflies, and stoneflies, which are abundant in their freshwater habitats. We advise anglers to cover surface and subsurface situations when picking flies; popular patterns include Hares Eye Nymphs, Small CDC Caddis and Adams. Stoneflies and tungsten-beaded nymphs work very well for deeper runs, with pink and red tags often adorning the boxes of many guides.
Rainbow Trout can vary significantly in size depending on their environment, with most ranging between 30cm to 51cm and weighing 1lb to 5lb. However, in ideal conditions, such as large, food-rich rivers or lakes, they can grow much more significantly to upwards of 30lb+.
The current IGFA record Rainbow Trout was caught from Lake Diefenbaker in Canada in 2009 and weighed in at a whopping 48lbs.
