Trout Fishing in Washington State

The 5 primary trouts are the rainbow, brook, brown, cutthroat and lake trout. Brown trout are considered the most difficult to catch and brookies are the easiest. Pure cold water is key to survival of the trouts and the brook trout is the most sensitive to temperature. The others are comfortable in slightly warmer waters.

Trout Fishing Lakes In Washington

Washington sports some excellent trout fishing in many streams, rivers, ponds and lakes. The major lakes with healthy populations of trout include Alder Lake, Baker Lake, Banks Lake, Cle Elum Lake, East Rapids Lake, Franklin D Roosevelt Lake, Kachess Lake, Lake Bryan, Lake Chelan, Lake Crescent, Lake Herbert G West, Lake Merwin, Lake Ozette, Lake Sacajawea, Lake Sammamish, Lake Washington, Lake Whatcom, Mayfield Lake, Moses Lake, Omak Lake, Osoyoos Lake, Palmer Lake, Potholes Reservoir, Riffe Lake, Rimrock Lake, Ross Lake, Spirit Lake, Swift Reservoir, Wanapum Lake and Yale Lake. Visit the Washington Division of Fish & Wildlife for information on trout stocking schedules for Washington.

The Washington state record brook trout was taken out of Wobbly Lake and the state record brown trout was caught from Sullivan Lake . The Tieton River produced the WA state record bull trout and Crescent Lake produced the Washington state record cutthroat trout. The Washington state record dolly varden trout came from White Chuck River and Omak Lake was home to the state record lahontan trout. Lake Chelan gave up the state record lake trout and the state record rainbow was pulled out of Rufus Woods Lake. The Snake River served up the state record steelhead trout.

Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss

Known for its tasty pink flesh, beauty and gameness, the rainbow trout is a favorite among the vast majority of trout fishing anglers. It also appeals to the fly fisherman as it can be tempted to take properly presented flies as well as other baits and lures. It feeds on small insects, minnows, crustaceans and worms. Rainbow trout fishing is fun for both sport and dining pleasures.

In waters that allow such migration the rainbow trout will remain in streams until it reaches 6" to 9" in length and then travel to lakes or oceans where it will bulk up and then return to the streams or rivers to spawn. Steelhead trout are rainbow trout which have adapted to the salt water environment. Fishing for steelhead is very similar to fishing for rainbows. However in winter the steelhead typically prefer spoons or bait rather than flies.

Brook Trout
Salvelinus fontinalis

Brook trout are found in clear cold waters which seldom exceed 68 degrees. As the waters to warm, the brook trout population begins to diminish. Its primary food source is small insects, mollusks, crustaceans and other small fishes.

Fishing for brook trout is the easiest of all the trouts. Look for gravel bottom streams with a moderate current, plenty of waterfalls and ponds which include rocks and cover. Overhanging trees offer additional shade, attract insects and offer protection from preying birds. Duplicate their food source and you are in business.

Brown Trout
Salmo trutta

The brown trout can tolerate slightly warmer waters than the brook trout and have taken over some of the fisheries formerly inhabited by the brookies. It is much more wary than other trouts which help ensure its longevity in waters where other trouts get fished out.

When brown trout fishing look for quiet water with lots of cover. Logs, under cuts in the bank, rock shelves, overhanging trees and brush are some of the brown trouts favorite hiding places. The larger they get, the more wary they become and are more inclined to feed at night under the protection of darkness.

Brown trout feed on worms, minnows, insects and crustaceans. Dry fly fishing for pan-sized browns is a favorite technique as they rise well to these crafty presentations. Larger browns tend to feed more on flesh and favor nutritious crustaceans, worms or small fishes. When fly fishing for large brown trout use wet flies which mimic the local natural baitfish.

Lake Trout
Salvelinus namaycush

The lake trout is by far the largest of the trouts. It lives in deep cold lakes and is also known as Great Lakes trout, Mackinaw trout and salmon trout. It feeds on virtually all forms of flesh which abound in its home waters. Minnows, smelt, eels and any variety of small fishes are part of the lake trout's diet. It's rich flaky flesh makes it a tasty table favorite.

In early spring these fish can be taken in the lake shallows on dry flies, wet flies and other slow moving presentations. Once the surface waters warm the lake trout retreats to deep water where trolling with heavy tackle is the preferred method. Spoons and baitfish imitating lures worked near the bottom provide the best results. As summer warms the water, cowbells and other flashing devices trolled deep often can get you to the depth where the lake trout stalk.

Cutthroat Trout
Salmo clarki

Cutthroat trout flourish in cold mountain streams that eventually drain into the Pacific Ocean. It too can be taken on flies as well as other baits and lures. It primarily feeds on small insects, minnows, crustaceans and worms.

Cutthroat trout fishing is an angler favorite on big, fast-moving waters. Fly fishing is the preferred method but they can be caught on any number of minnow or grub imitating lures as well as an assortment of live bait offerings.

Organizations & Resources

Cutthroat Trout Conservation
DMOZ Trout Section

If you have information, articles or photos relating to trout which you would like to see published here, please submit them for consideration. We will gladly give you credit for your contribution. If you have a fishing related business and would like to mention it within the context of the article, we will consider your request. For significant contributions we may offer complimentary display ads, please contact us if you are interested.

If you offer fishing guide services we would like to include you as a resource for our visitors. We offer a complimentary listing for your guide service on our Washington Fishing Guides page or you can see other options to promote your trout fishing guide services in Washington by visiting our Advertising opportunities section.

The states list to the left can direct you to information about trout in other states.

All About Fishing for Trout in Washington State.

42 lbs - 2 oz

25 lbs - 11 oz

52 - 68 Degrees

Prefers generally clear flowing waters with turbulence for oxygenation over gravel, rock or sandy bottoms.

14 lbs - 8 oz

9 lbs - 0 oz

52 to 64 Degrees

Prefers clear cold water with moderate current over gravel, rocks or sand.

40 lbs - 4 oz

22 lbs - 0 oz

56 - 64 Degrees

Prefers slightly stained cool water with minimum current over rock or sandy bottoms with heavy cover.

72 lbs - 0 oz

35 lbs - 7 oz

52 - 68 Degrees

Prefers clear to slightly stained water with significant depths and sandy bottoms in the shallows.

41 lbs - 0 oz

12 lbs - 0 oz

68 - 72 Degrees

Prefers slightly stained to murky water with little or no current.