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Rainbow Trout

Rainbow Trout

Rainbow Trout are not native to Mississippi and do not sustain wild populations year-round due to the state's warm climate.

However, Mississippi offers a unique winter trout fishing opportunity at Lake Lamar Bruce, where roughly 700 hatchery-raised rainbow trout are stocked annually by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks.

This is a true put-and-take fishery with over 90% caught before natural mortality occurs.

Scientific Name: Oncorhynchus mykiss

Physical Characteristics:
  • These fish range from 8-12 inches and are larger than previous stockings.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Rainbow trout fishing in Mississippi is exclusively available at Lake Lamar Bruce, operating as a winter-only fishery.

Key Locations

  • Lake Lamar Bruce near Saltillo (1.5 miles northeast off U.S. 45).

Rainbow Trout FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

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

Salmon e.g.gs, canned corn kernels, small inline spinners (Mepps, Rooster Tail), marabou crappie jigs, and small plastic grub jigs.

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

Prime season runs during winter months when water temperatures and dissolved oxygen levels support trout survival, typically ending by April or May when warming conditions become lethal to the fish.

How do you catch Rainbow Trout in Mississippi?

Best fishing occurs during warm, windy days before cold fronts move through. These hatchery fish have never encountered bait or lures before, making them relatively easy to catch. Since these are hatchery fish accustomed to floating pellet food, they show preference for surface presentations initially.

What do Rainbow Trout eat?

Opportunistic feeders that consume aquatic insects (mayflies, caddisflies, stoneflies), terrestrial insects (grasshoppers, ants, beetles), small fish, fish e.g.gs, crayfish, worms, and plankton.

Where do Rainbow Trout live in Mississippi?

Rainbow trout fishing in Mississippi is exclusively available at Lake Lamar Bruce, operating as a winter-only fishery.

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