how to catch trout in colorado lakes

If there are brown trout near by a well presented Panther Martin will doubt catch them. Get fishing tips and tricks and read personal stories from anglers who live and breathe fishing and boating. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 400,904 times. Lake trout prefer to avoid bright lights so you will likely improve your chances at any time in overcast conditions. 2. It's more difficult to figure out where the trout are hanging out and reach them with your line. Alternatively, drag a weighted line under water from your boat to troll for trout. A useful tool when fishing lake trout, even for beginners learning how to fish, is a depth finder. Once you find a good spot for trout fishing during a certain season, return to it the next year during the same season and you're likely to find a good trout supply there again. Be sure to put the reel on the rod facing the correct direction. There are also more than a dozen streams that have been denoted "gold medal" spots to … Favorite Pattern(s): Brown trout, gold and rainbow trout. One of the top lake trout fishing tips is knowing the best lake trout jigging lures to use. This article has been viewed 400,904 times. One place they cannot see is directly behind them. To create this article, 16 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. Trout Lake is a lake located in southeast San Miguel County, Colorado, in Uncompahgre National Forest. Attach a weight so that you can cast to the proper depth and drag the hook along without it rising to the surface. There are a few reasons for this that I’ll explain. Dry Flies for Colorado Lakes Adams Parawulff. Splake This fast-growing brook trout/lake trout hybrid is a good fighting fish that prefers colder water like lake trout do. What fish should I look to get? Subscribe to our Newsletter and get all the information you need to learn, plan, and equip for your next fishing adventure. According to AllAbou Fishing.com, Twin Lakes, Williams Fork Reservoir, Stagecoach Reservoir, Shadow Mountain Reservoir, Navajo Reservoir, Lake Granby, Carter Lake, Eleven Mile Reservoir, Adobe Creek Reservoir and Blue Mesa Reservoir are among the largest lakes in Colorado, and they all have a trout population. Start trolling at a slow speed once you have reached the desired depth. Use a spinning reel or bait caster and any type of rod with the properly weighted line. Instead, their immediate and safe release is mandatory in these waters. Sign-up to receive our monthly newsletter with interesting blogs about fishing and boating. There are two programs available on Williams Fork; one at the Eastside campground and one at the Peninsula Campground. By using our site, you agree to our. The Carolina rig is a great way to fish for stocked trout in a lake. Knowing the specific feeding habits of the smaller baitfish in your region can be very helpful. In the early spring and fall lake trout swim at a depth of between 35 and 45 feet (10.7 to 13.7m). What stickbait lures to use to catch stocked trout Minnow shaped lures from two inches to just over three inches work well for catching stocked brook trout, rainbow trout, and brown trout. Brook Trout Brook trout are actually a char, in the same family as lake trout and bull trout. Trout Lake is a 15-minute drive from Ophir via Colorado State Highway 145 and a 30-minute drive from Telluride. Reel the trout in slowly, keeping the rod above your head. ⚠ Before you head to the water check the latest COVID-19 updates. Last Updated: February 10, 2020 Lake trout are mostly gray above, with a white belly and creamy mottling on the back, turning in to spots along the sides. In cold weather, when the lake is iced over, trout are found closer to the surface, at a depth of about 10 feet (3 m). Please complete the following fields to subscribe to our newsletter. The weight is determined by your speed and the season. Colorado River cutthroat trout (CRCT) are native to streams that flow into the Green and Colorado rivers. If you want to catch lake trout, use a light-action rod with 4 to 6 pound test line. Story and memory are built by the fish we’ve landed and more so by the ones that got away. You may fish for trout in these waterways and lakes, but your bait has to be either artificial lures or artificial flies. Photo by Jerry Neal/CPW. Some lake trout can be over 35 pounds, you will need a heavier rod for these. If you want to find them, you will have to search deep, especially in the summer, since they like cold water. The first is that trout, with their eyes positioned on the sides of their heads, have a great field of view. You can even mark your spot so you know where to return! Due to overfishing, their natural population has been depleted, but they're commonly stocked in lakes from the midwestern US through Canada. [1] X Research source Some lake trout can be over 35 pounds, you will need a heavier rod for these. Yes, with a heavy action rod and lead core line you can still reach up to 60 feet deep. Can I successfully troll for lake trout if I don't have a down rigger? wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Trout lake was originally explored by American fur-trappers and pioneers, who often used the lake as a stopping point for their expeditions. These freshwater fish have dark green bodies and pale yellow spots, and they love cold, deep lake water. Run your line to the bottom of the lake, then bring it up slowly while jiggling the line. Not only will the lake trout feel more comfortable venturing out at these hours, but they bite most during feeding time when bugs are active. Do you like this content? When you’re fishing in a stream or small river, always approach a pool from downstream. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. If there's one time of year when trout are most difficult to catch, it's probably the middle of summer, when the lake is warmest and the trout are in its darkest depths. The largemouth bass is the most popular freshwater game fish in the U.S. I have been catching trout with this lure ever since I can remember and it’s still one of my go to lures. Pay Attention to CPW’s Fish-Stocking Report Lures that imitate rainbow trout work well after CPW stocks waters. Originally their range was limited to eastern North America, but through stocking programs they are now found throughout the west also. Small weightless lures and spinners typically make the best artificial bait. How to Succeed at Your First Relationship! Color is generally important insofar as calling attention to itself. I need help because it is a big lake. If you know you're fishing a lake that has massive fish, bring a heavier rod as well. To catch newly-stocked trout, look along the shore of the lake for boat ramps or other easy access points. Two to two and a half inches is the general sweet spot. Use an open faced spinning reel with a thin line. If you want to have a productive day on the water, one of the more important things to understand is the best time of day to catch lake trout. States that stock tiger trout range from Pennsylvania, to Colorado & Idaho all the way to Washington, and yes even rivers in Georgia. A light-action rod will work for a small eating-size trout, but for trophy-sized trout I would suggest a medium- to heavy-action rod. They're all fun fish to catch, but if you want something really big, I would go for musky. This technique works best from a boat, rather than the shore. Colorado Master Angler Award qualifying length for Brook Trout is 16" Lake Trout The largest of the char family, lake trout, also referred to as Mackinaw, can reach enormous proportions, in the range of 50 inches and 100 pounds. Lake trout are so popular among anglers that their natural population has been overfished. The key is to go very slow. Since lake trout like cold water, they're less commonly found in warmer regions like the southern US. Learn more about how you can identify a largemouth bass, where to catch it and what bait and lures to use. A productive technique when learning how to fish for Trout in a lake is casting and retrieving lures. Fishing a big spoon for lake trout has proven to land some monsters. Finally, top it off with either number 6 or 10 hooks. A heavier spoon can be fished from the bank of the lake or trolled behind you on a boat. And the lakes are often stocked with trout, one of the most commonly stocked species to make your outing as rewarding as possible. For tips on how to look for trout feeding areas, keep reading! Their colors, their willingness to rise, and the places they call home are all worth the effort it takes to find them. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/23\/Catch-Lake-Trout-Step-1-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Catch-Lake-Trout-Step-1-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/23\/Catch-Lake-Trout-Step-1-Version-4.jpg\/aid1384616-v4-728px-Catch-Lake-Trout-Step-1-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"