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Rainbow Trout

Rainbow Trout

Rainbow Trout are non-native to North Carolina, having been introduced from western North America in the late 1800s and early 1900s by logging companies.

They've since become well-established throughout western North Carolina's mountain streams, lakes, and rivers, comprising about 40% of current stocking efforts by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.

Scientific Name: Oncorhynchus mykiss

Physical Characteristics:
  • Rainbow Trout are distinguished by their broad lateral stripe ranging from pink to red, olive-green backs, whitish bellies, and heavy black speckling on all fins and body.
  • They typically range 10-16 inches in mountain streams, weighing 2-6 pounds, though North Carolina's state record is an impressive 20 pounds, 3 ounces caught in the Horsepasture River.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • They favor faster currents like riffles and swift runs more than Brook or Brown Trout.
  • Rainbow Trout can tolerate warmer waters and higher pollution levels than Brook Trout, allowing them to inhabit lower stream reaches.
  • North Carolina supports both wild reproducing populations and extensive hatchery stocking programs across over 3,000 miles of suitable trout waters in the western mountain region.

Key Locations

  • Prime locations include the Davidson River, Tuckasegee River, Nantahala River, Cullasaja River, East Fork of the French Broad River, and numerous streams throughout the Great Smoky Mountains and Appalachian regions.
  • Cherokee's managed fishery offers exceptional opportunities with 30 miles of accessible water and high fish density.

Specific Spots

  • Target areas behind large rocks and structures that break current, overhanging bushes and trees, slow-moving deep waters behind structures, drop-offs near riffles, and partially submerged objects.
  • Rainbow Trout prefer moving water that delivers food.

Rainbow Trout FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

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

Small spinners and spoons in silver colors. Natural baits like worms (hooked once or twice at the thickest section, not balled up), corn, crayfish, grasshoppers, and small baitfish work well, particularly for hatchery-reared fish.

What flies work for Rainbow Trout in North Carolina?

Productive fly patterns include dry flies like size 18 Adams, Neversink caddis, nymphs such as Pheasant Tail, streamers, and soft-hackle flies that can represent various stages of locally hatching insects.

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

The prime fishing seasons for Rainbow Trout in North Carolina are April-June and October-December, with spring and fall offering the best combination of fish activity and comfortable conditions.

How do you catch Rainbow Trout in North Carolina?

Cast 45 degrees upstream and work lures across suspected feeding lanes. Retrieve at the slowest speed that maintains proper blade rotation. Match the hatch by selecting flies that imitate insects on or in the water.

What do Rainbow Trout eat?

These fish are opportunistic feeders, consuming aquatic and terrestrial insects, crustaceans, snails, leeches, crayfish, grasshoppers, worms, and small fish. Young Rainbow Trout focus primarily on small insects.

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