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Rainbow Trout

Rainbow Trout

Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in Maryland are non-native fish transplanted from the West Coast, now forming the backbone of the state's successful put-and-take trout fishing program.

Maryland DNR annually stocks over 500,000 adult rainbow trout across more than 100 streams and lakes statewide.

Scientific Name: Oncorhynchus mykiss

Physical Characteristics:
  • Maryland rainbows typically have greenish-silver backs with silver sides featuring a faint red band along the lateral line, and are heavily spotted on their sides, back, dorsal and tail fins.
  • They average 10-13 inches, though some reach 20+ inches.
  • The Maryland state record is 17.4 pounds, caught in Antietam Creek in 2024.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • More than 100 streams and lakes statewide.
  • Only three small streams in Maryland support naturally reproducing rainbow trout populations, with the most notable being the North Branch Potomac River downstream of Jennings Randolph Lake Dam in Garrett County.

Key Locations

  • The 100+ stocked put-and-take waters listed by DNR, Savage River tailwater for trophy opportunities, Gunpowder Falls for year-round fishing, North Branch Potomac River for wild fish, North Branch Potomac River downstream of Jennings Randolph Lake Dam in Garrett County, Antietam Creek.

Specific Spots

  • Prefer gravel or rocky bottoms, deep pools, and natural cover.
  • Target deep pools, current edges, drop-offs, undercuts, and areas behind rocks and boulders.
  • In lakes, newly stocked fish stay near stocking locations for 1-2 days before moving as schools around the water body, eventually seeking deeper areas and cover.

Rainbow Trout FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

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

PowerBait Trout Nuggets, worms, kernel corn, colored marshmallows, salmon e.g.gs, 1/64 oz micro-jigs, Panther Martin spoons (sizes 1-2), Super Duper spoons, Swedish Pimples (1/10-1/16 oz), Kastmaster spoons (1/8 oz or less), minnow-imitating crankbaits.

What flies work for Rainbow Trout in Maryland?

Weighted nymphs like Hares Ear and Pheasant Tail patterns in sizes 12-18, Walt's Worm for caddis larvae imitation, cream, sulphur orange, olive, and grey dry flies in sizes 12-18, Elk Hair Caddis and Adams patterns.

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

Spring (March-May) and fall (October-November) are prime seasons for rainbow trout fishing in Maryland, coinciding with DNR stockings and optimal water temperatures. These stockings occur primarily in spring (February-April) and fall (September-October), with some preseason stocking beginning in December or January.

How do you catch Rainbow Trout in Maryland?

Cast upstream and let offerings drift naturally. Use weighted spinners with flat blades retrieved slowly upstream in spring. Use 'dry-dropper' rig with a nymph tied to the dry fly's bend covers both stages simultaneously.

What do Rainbow Trout eat?

Their diet consists primarily of aquatic insect larvae and adults, with juveniles feeding heavily on insects like stoneflies, mayflies, and caddisflies. Large rainbows also eat smaller fish, including other trout, and they feed more frequently at the surface than other trout species.

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