Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
One of the most widely stocked and popular game fish in the United States, rainbow trout are found in cold streams, rivers, and lakes from coast to coast. The migratory form (steelhead) is treated separately. Aggressive feeders and acrobatic fighters, they are a favorite of fly anglers and spin fishers alike.
Seasonal Activity
Best Techniques
- fly fishing nymphs and dries
- small spinners
- drifted spawn
- PowerBait in stocked lakes
Top Baits
- nightcrawlers
- PowerBait
- spinners
- spawn
- dry flies
Fishing Regulations
Season dates and limits for Rainbow Trout, by state. This list may not cover every state yet — always confirm current rules with your state's wildlife agency before you fish.
Alaska 1 zone
Rainbow trout limits vary by area. Many trophy waters are catch-and-release only or single barbless hooks. Check area-specific regulations.
Effective 2025 · Source: adfg.alaska.gov
Arizona 1 zone
Combined 6 trout daily limit for all trout species. No minimum size on most waters. Special regulations on some streams.
Effective 2025 · Source: azgfd.com
Arkansas 1 zone
No minimum size. Daily bag limit of 5 trout combined all species.
Effective 2025 · Source: agfc.com
California 1 zone
General trout season. Some waters open year-round; check district regulations for exceptions.
Effective 2025 · Source: wildlife.ca.gov
Colorado 1 zone
Combined trout daily bag limit of 4 statewide. Some waters have reduced limits or artificial-only restrictions.
Effective 2025 · Source: cpw.state.co.us
Connecticut 1 zone
Trout season opens the second Saturday in April. Combined daily limit of 5 for all trout species. Wild trout management areas have special regulations.
Effective 2025 · Source: portal.ct.gov
Delaware 1 zone
Combined 6 trout daily limit. Stocked in White Clay Creek and several ponds seasonally.
Effective 2025 · Source: dnrec.alpha.delaware.gov
Georgia 1 zone
Daily creel limit 8 in aggregate for all trout species. Found in north Georgia mountain streams.
Effective 2025 · Source: georgiawildlife.com
Hawaii 1 zone
Rainbow trout stocked in Kauai mountain streams only. Season typically August-September on weekends and holidays. 10 per day.
Effective 2025 · Source: dlnr.hawaii.gov
Idaho 1 zone
General statewide trout limit. Combined with all trout species. Some waters have reduced limits.
Effective 2025 · Source: idfg.idaho.gov
Illinois 1 zone
Open year-round. Stocked in Lake Michigan tributaries and select inland streams in spring and fall. Combined trout/salmon daily bag of 5.
Effective 2025 · Source: dnr.illinois.gov
Indiana 1 zone
Open year-round. Stocked in select streams and Lake Michigan tributaries. Combined trout/salmon daily bag of 5 on inland waters. Trail Creek and other Lake Michigan tributaries have steelhead runs.
Effective 2025 · Source: in.gov
Iowa 1 zone
No minimum size. Combined trout daily bag of 5.
Effective 2025 · Source: iowadnr.gov
Kentucky 1 zone
Daily creel limit 8 in aggregate for all trout species. Stocked in mountain streams and tailwaters.
Effective 2025 · Source: fw.ky.gov
Maine 1 zone
Stocked in select waters. Combined daily limit of 5 for all trout and salmon species on most waters.
Effective 2025 · Source: maine.gov
Maryland 1 zone
Stocked in put-and-take waters statewide. Daily limit of 5 for all trout species combined. Catch-and-release and delayed harvest areas have special rules.
Effective 2025 · Source: dnr.maryland.gov
Massachusetts 1 zone
Season begins the first Saturday in April in most waters and is year-round in many ponds. Combined daily limit of 3 for all trout species.
Effective 2025 · Source: mass.gov
Michigan 1 zone
Season opens last Saturday in April. Combined 5 trout daily limit. Steelhead in Great Lakes tributaries open year-round.
Effective 2026 · Source: michigan.gov
Minnesota 1 zone
Stream trout season opens in mid-April. Combined trout bag of 5 (all stream trout species). Catch-and-release season on designated streams opens January 1. Lake trout on inland lakes have separate regulations.
Effective 2025 · Source: dnr.state.mn.us
Missouri 1 zone
No minimum size. Combined trout daily bag of 5.
Effective 2025 · Source: mdc.mo.gov
Montana 1 zone
General river season. Lakes open year-round in many districts. Combined trout and salmon daily limit.
Effective 2025 · Source: fwp.mt.gov
Nebraska 1 zone
Combined 5 trout daily limit. Stocked in put-and-take lakes and tailwaters.
Effective 2025 · Source: outdoornebraska.gov
Nevada 1 zone
Combined trout limit of 5 per day statewide. Some streams have catch-and-release or special gear restrictions.
Effective 2025 · Source: ndow.org
New Hampshire 1 zone
Lakes and ponds open January 1 to October 15. Rivers and streams open fourth Saturday in April through October 15. Combined daily limit of 5 for all trout species.
Effective 2025 · Source: wildlife.nh.gov
New Jersey 1 zone
Regular trout season opens on the second Saturday in April. Combined daily limit of 6 for all trout species. In-season stocking occurs.
Effective 2025 · Source: nj.gov
New Mexico 1 zone
Combined 5 trout daily limit for all trout species. Some waters have special regulations with catch-and-release or reduced limits.
Effective 2025 · Source: wildlife.state.nm.us
New York 1 zone
Trout season dates for streams. Lakes and ponds are open year-round. Combined daily limit of 5 for all trout species.
Effective 2025 · Source: dec.ny.gov
North Carolina 1 zone
Daily creel limit 7 in aggregate for all trout species. Mountain and hatchery supported waters.
Effective 2025 · Source: ncwildlife.org
North Dakota 1 zone
Combined 5 trout daily limit. Stocked in select lakes and streams.
Effective 2025 · Source: gf.nd.gov
Ohio 1 zone
Open year-round. Primarily stocked in Lake Erie tributaries (steelhead) and some inland streams. Combined trout daily bag of 5.
Effective 2025 · Source: ohiodnr.gov
Oregon 1 zone
Statewide default for stocked trout. No minimum size on stocked ponds. Wild trout rules vary by water.
Effective 2025 · Source: myodfw.com
Pennsylvania 1 zone
Regular stocked trout season opens first Saturday in April. Mentored Youth Day and Regional Opening Days precede statewide opener. Combined trout bag of 5. Some streams are designated as Delayed Harvest, Catch-and-Release, or Trophy Trout waters with special regulations.
Effective 2025 · Source: fishandboat.com
Rhode Island 1 zone
5 fish daily limit, combined trout species. Season opens second Saturday of February in ponds and lakes. Stocked throughout spring.
Effective 2025 · Source: dem.ri.gov
South Carolina 1 zone
Daily creel limit 5 in aggregate for all trout species. Found in upstate mountain streams.
Effective 2025 · Source: dnr.sc.gov
South Dakota 1 zone
Combined trout limit of 5 per day. Trout fishing centered in Black Hills streams and stocked lakes.
Effective 2025 · Source: gfp.sd.gov
Tennessee 1 zone
Daily creel limit 7 in aggregate for all trout species. Excellent tailwater fisheries below TVA dams.
Effective 2025 · Source: tn.gov
Utah 1 zone
General statewide trout limit of 4 combined. Many community ponds have higher limits.
Effective 2025 · Source: wildlife.utah.gov
Vermont 1 zone
Stream season opens the second Saturday in April. Lakes open as posted. Combined daily limit of 6 for all trout and salmon species.
Effective 2025 · Source: vtfishandwildlife.com
Virginia 1 zone
Daily creel limit 6 in aggregate for all trout species. Stocked in mountain and piedmont waters.
Effective 2025 · Source: dwr.virginia.gov
Washington 1 zone
General lowland lakes season. Many lakes open year-round. Hatchery trout only on some waters.
Effective 2025 · Source: wdfw.wa.gov
West Virginia 1 zone
Daily creel limit 6 in aggregate for all trout species. Stocked in mountain streams statewide.
Effective 2025 · Source: wvdnr.gov
Wisconsin 1 zone
Early inland trout season opens January 1 as catch-and-release only on many streams. Regular harvest season opens first Saturday in May. Combined trout bag of 5 (all trout species). Some streams are classified as Category 1-5 with varying regulations.
Effective 2025 · Source: dnr.wisconsin.gov
Wyoming 1 zone
General statewide trout limit. Combined with all trout species. Some waters have special regulations.
Effective 2025 · Source: wgfd.wyo.gov
State Records
Official rod & reel records by state. Log your catch to see how you compare.
| State | Weight | Length | Angler | Year | Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NY | 31.19 lb | — | Robert Wilson | 2004 | Lake Ontario |
| WA | 29.6 lb | — | Norm Butler | 2002 | Rufus Woods Lake |
| WI | 27.13 lb | — | — | 1997 | Lake Michigan |
| CA | 27 lb | — | Frank Palmer | 2005 | Lake Natoma |
| MI | 26.5 lb | 39.5 in | — | 1975 | Lake Michigan |
| OH | 21.3 lb | — | Jason Brooks | 2010 | Lake Erie |
| NC | 20.19 lb | — | Leah Johnson | 2006 | Horsepasture River |
| TN | 18.5 lb | — | John H. Morgan III | 2016 | Pond, Polk Co. |
| MO | 18.06 lb | — | Jason Harper | 2004 | Roaring River |
| GA | 17.5 lb | — | Mark Cochran | 2004 | Soque River |
| MN | 16.38 lb | — | — | — | Devil Track River |
| PA | 15.38 lb | — | Dennis L. Clouse | 1986 | Jordan Creek |
| TX | 12.38 lb | — | Christine Saathoff | 2023 | Guadalupe River |
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