Trout Fishing Tips

This is a great time of year to be enjoying the outdoors. But as nice as the weather is, trout fishing can be challenging during summer months.


Trout Fishing Tip #1 - Take the kids to a Trout Farm

Many states have trout farms that kids can fish in. These farms raise trout specifically for kids to catch them - so they're very easy to catch! But kids will still feel the same sense of excitement and accomplishment as if they had caught the trout in a big lake!

Most of the trout farms provide tackle and bait for free - and you only pay for each fish you catch. And most trout farms have picnic grounds complete with grills so you can grill your catch on the spot!

So kids can catch their trout and then share it with the family on the picnic grounds. This the best way to start teaching kids about trout fishing.


Trout Fishing Tip #2 - Fish the lake on the day it's stocked

Every state has a Game and Fish Department, although they might be called something different. And the stocking schedule is usually posted on the web.
You'll want to find it and print it.

Knowing the stocking schedule in advance will help you plan when to take the kids fishing. Stocked trout come from local state hatcheries. They've been raised and fed in pens. When released in lakes, they tend to spend the first day or two near the shore and will anything offered to them. This is when they're easiest to catch! In fact, the majority of trout are caught the same day they're released.

Taking the kids fishing on the day the lake is stocked will greatly improve their chances of catching them - and the more trout they catch, the more interested and excited about they'll be about fishing!

Even if you can't get to the lake the day it's stocked, go the next day or the day after that. Trout are still fairly easy to catch within a day or two of stocking.


Trout Fishing Tip #3 - Fish during early morning or early evening hours

This tip especially true in warmer summer months. Trout are cold blooded fish - which means they like cool water. Most trout actively feed when water temperatures are between 50 – 68 degrees Fahrenheit. Once water temperatures get above 70 degrees Fahrenheit, trout start concentrating on survival rather than feeding. Water is usually cooler in early morning and early evening hours.

These are also the times that insects are out flying. So trout will normally be near the surface of the water feeding on them.


Trout Fishing Tip #4 - Take worms, PowerBait, marshmallow, cheese and corn for bait

Trout love these things, and being picky eaters, you never know which one they'll like on any given day.

PowerBait comes in a variety of colors and it's a good idea to have a couple of colors on hand. One day trout are famous for liking one color over another one day and not touching it the next.

My favorite colors are rainbow (with sparkling glitter), chartreuse, and pink and white. I've had the best luck with these colors over the years.


Trout Fishing Tip #5 - Use trout attractant

One of the problems with bait fishing is that by the time you get the bait on your hook, you've also transferred your human odors to it - which in turn can turn trout off. Adding a bit of trout attractant to the baited hook can help fix that problem.

You can also add trout attractant to your leader and lures. Every little bit helps!
You can buy trout attractant in any sporting goods store and even Wal-mart.


Trout Fishing Tip #6 - Keep an eye on outdoor temperature

The sun heats the water, so if it's hot outside, you know water temperatures are rising. Trout can't survive long in water that's above 70 degrees Fahrenheit they'll have to find cooler water. This means they'll often head for deeper water. If you have a boat, this is the time to use it. Some lakes have boats you can rent.

In most lakes, the deepest part is either in the center of the lake or near the dam. This is where you want to steer your boat. You'll have to fish deeper to find trout. And unless you have a fish finder, this is a process of trial and error.


Trout Fishing Tip #7 - Use a Fish Finder

When trout are in deeper water, finding them can be difficult. Using a fish finder is often critical to finding trout in these conditions.


Trout Fishing Tip #8 - Watch the birds

Many birds feed on trout (such as Eagles and Comorants). If you watch them closely, you'll see them swoop down and grab trout. In essence, they're showing you where the trout are!

Go fishing on the day a lake is stocked, and you'll see swarms of comorants flying over an area of water. This is where the trout are. Try fishing this area of the water, and you’re very likely to catch trout!

Labels: Trout Farm, trout fishing tips

Arizona is blessed to have one of the best rainbow trout farms in the country! It's located in Sedona off Highway 89A between Slide Rock State Park and Sedona's tourist's district in the heart of Oak Creek Canyon.

First opened in the 1950's, the Rainbow Trout Farm is open year-round, seven days a week and gets visitors from all over the country. If you just want to come in and look around, admission is FREE! But if you wish to fish, you will have to pay some fees.

This is a great place to bring the kids and teach them about rainbow trout and pretty guarantee their success in catching them! The Fishing equipment and bait is provided for you. Don't bring your own - it's not allowed!

In addition to being able to see rainbow trout up close, the trout farm also has BBQ and picnic tables for folks to enjoy. In order for the maximum number of folks to enjoy the trout farm, people are asked to limit their stay to 2 hours.

Fishing is allowed at the Rainbow Trout Farm - and you don't even need a fishing license! The fishing fee is only $1 per person - but be forewarned, there is NO CATCH AND RELEASE! You'll pay $8-$12 for every fish you catch depending on size. The average trout size is 11 to 12 inches. So you might want to keep a close eye on the kids!

You'll be given a fishing pole and bait to use while at the trout farm. The staff there make the dough bait which is used for fishing and it consists of fish food mixed with flour and water. They even sell it if you'd like to try it in your local trout waters.

You can also choose to let the staff at the trout farm clean your fish for you at a cost of 50 cents per fish (no filleting). Once your fish is cleaned, you can cook it on the BBQ grills at the park or pack it on ice and take it home (the trout farm does sell ice for this purpose).

Another option is to take your trout to the Heartland Cafe in Sedona and have them cook it for you. Then you and the family can either enjoy it there or take the cooked trout home. This is a great option for folks visiting and camping in Oak Creek Canyon.

For more information, call (928) 282-5799.

Labels: Arizona Rainbow Trout, Rainbow Trout, Rainbow Trout Farm, Trout Farm