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Rainbow Trout

Rainbow Trout

Rainbow Trout are Oregon's most widely distributed and stocked trout species, found naturally in many rivers and streams and stocked in ponds and lakes across all regions.

Oregon is home to multiple subspecies, including the native Redband Rainbow Trout indigenous to central Oregon east of the Cascades, adapted to arid conditions, and Coastal Rainbow Trout native to western Oregon waters.

The species occupies diverse habitats from high mountain streams to large reservoirs, coastal streams to high desert rivers.

Scientific Name: Oncorhynchus mykiss

Also known as Redband Rainbow Trout, Coastal Rainbow Trout

Physical Characteristics:
  • Rainbow trout are highly variable in color, often silvery with a distinctive light pink to red stripe along each side, and can reach up to 30 inches in length.
  • Redband Rainbow Trout grow up to 18 inches long.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Found naturally in many rivers and streams and stocked in ponds and lakes across all regions.
  • Redband Rainbow Trout inhabit cool streams, rivers, and lakes in central Oregon east of the Cascades.
  • Coastal Rainbow Trout prefer clear, cold rivers and streams flowing to the Pacific.

Key Locations

  • McKenzie River (no bait fishing section from Lower McKenzie Trailhead), Deschutes River (excellent year-round fishing), Crooked River below Bowman Dam (10 miles of productive canyon water), Clackamas River, and numerous stocked lakes including Detroit Lake, Wickiup Reservoir, and Crane Prairie Reservoir.

Specific Spots

  • Target undercut banks, overhanging vegetation, riffles, pocket water, and deeper pools.
  • In still waters, look near aquatic vegetation, around structure, stream inlets, and deeper areas during warm weather.

Rainbow Trout FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

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

1/16 oz spinners, small Rooster Tails (especially Fire Tiger, gold blade with brown body, and gold blade with black body), Mepps Aglia spinners, and Thomas Buoyant spoons in copper.

What flies work for Rainbow Trout in Oregon?

Blue Winged Olives (BWO) sizes 18-22 (effective year-round, especially winter), Pale Morning Duns (PMD) sizes 16-20 for summer/fall, Elk Hair Caddis sizes 10-14, Chernobyl Ants for hopper season, Pheasant Tail Nymphs sizes 18-22 (considered essential), Hare's Ear Nymphs, Woolly Buggers sizes 6-8, and various midge...

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

Spring and fall offer the best rainbow trout fishing. Summer fishing requires targeting cooler, deeper waters or high mountain lakes, while winter fishing (where open) focuses on slow, calm waters.

How do you catch Rainbow Trout in Oregon?

For fly fishing use various patterns. For spin fishing use small spinners and spoons. Target undercut banks, overhanging vegetation, riffles, pocket water, and deeper pools. In still waters, look near aquatic vegetation, around structure, stream inlets, and deeper areas during warm weather.

What do Rainbow Trout eat?

Their diet consists primarily of aquatic insects (mayflies, stoneflies, caddisflies, midges, blackflies), terrestrial insects (grasshoppers, beetles, ants), minnows, crayfish, and other small aquatic life. Larger adults also consume fish e.g.gs, small fish, leeches, and even mice.

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See it in the app

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  1. 01 · Species map filter

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    Pick Rainbow Trout and the map zeroes in on the waters they call home. No more guessing which lake holds them.

  2. 02 · Waterbody species

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    Species, behavior and seasonal patterns for every lake, river and pond, before you leave the driveway.

  3. 03 · Angler Intelligence

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    Tactics, gear and timing from onWater's AI fishing guide, tuned to the species and the water you're on.

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Oregon licenses and regulations

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