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Rainbow Trout

Rainbow Trout

Rainbow Trout in Delaware are a non-native, introduced species that have been stocked since the late 1800s and are no longer naturally reproducing due to marginal summer water temperatures.

Delaware predominantly stocks Rainbow Trout ranging from 9 to 26 inches, typically weighing 1-4 pounds, with stocked fish meant to be harvested as a put-and-take fishery.

Physical Characteristics:
  • They feature silvery sides with a horizontal pinkish band of varying intensity, bluish to greenish backs, and black spots on the back and sides.
  • Delaware predominantly stocks Rainbow Trout ranging from 9 to 26 inches, typically weighing 1-4 pounds.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Found in designated streams in New Castle County and ponds in Kent and Sussex Counties.
  • They prefer clear, cool, well-oxygenated waters.

Key Locations

  • In Delaware, Rainbow Trout are found in designated streams in New Castle County including White Clay Creek, Christina Creek, Pike Creek, Mill Creek, Wilson Run, Beaver Run, and Red Clay Creek, plus Tidbury Pond in Kent County and Newton Pond in Sussex County.

Specific Spots

  • Target areas with riffles, pools, undercut banks, and oxygenated water.

Rainbow Trout FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Rainbow Trout in Delaware?

1/10 to 1/8 ounce spoons (Kastmaster, Super Duper, Little Cleo) in gold, silver, and rainbow patterns, small spinners (Mepps, Panther Martin, Joe's Flies) in sizes 0-2, and micro jigs (1/80 to 1/32 ounce) suspended under small bobbers. Live baits include worms, corn, Power Bait, salmon e.g.gs, and marshmallows.

What flies work for Rainbow Trout in Delaware?

Parachute Adams, Comparaduns, Sparkle Duns for surface feeding, unweighted nymphs and emergers for subsurface activity, size 20 patterns for midges and spinners, and Elk Hair Caddis for active surface feeding.

When is the best time to fish for Rainbow Trout in Delaware?

Delaware's trout season opens the first Saturday in April for New Castle County streams (youth fishing Friday, all anglers Saturday) and first Saturday in March for Kent and Sussex County ponds, with fishing prohibited two weeks before opening day.

How do you catch Rainbow Trout in Delaware?

Target areas with riffles, pools, undercut banks, and oxygenated water. Use unweighted nymphs and emergers for subsurface activity, surface patterns for feeding fish, micro jigs suspended under small bobbers.

What do Rainbow Trout eat?

They are opportunistic feeders with insects remaining their dominant food source throughout life, consuming both terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates including zooplankton, mayflies, caddisflies, midges, stoneflies, grasshoppers, ants, beetles, and small fish.

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