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Simple question about trout??

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Just wondering in your experience when it is best to catch them?? During the day or into the night?? Thanks for your help.

early in the morning or late in the evening. they come up to the surface more during these times to feed on bugs and such.

  • Super User

I catch rainbow, cut-throat and brook trout all day long. German brown trout, especially the BIG ones, feed at night.

In designated trout waters (streams) night fishing isn't allowed in NC.   You can fish a half hour before daylight, all day, and 1/2 hour after sunset and I haven't done any lake fishing for trout but I intend to.  I'm not sure about the regs.  That will be a different ball game.  

In streams trout feeding is pretty dependant on water temp., and the hatch where I fish.  In winter this will generally be about 11:00 to 2:00 on water that is not closed.  When the season opens in the spring, you are liable to catch all species any time with the right fly.  I usually examine one to see what they are eating.  Good observation of the hatch and terrestrials will help also.  If you see inch worms in the overhanging bushes than tie one up and try it.  Most likely it will work.  On one stream that we fish there are a lot of cottages along the stream with night lights and we tried tying up brown bugs like you see at night and we slayed um.  Jap. beetle flys work in season.

  • Super User

Stockers bite all day long. Natives around here bite better in lower light conditions...they're real spooky.

  • 1 month later...
  • Super User

Early morning is best but evening can be good too. I have caught lots of trout at night, but especially through the ice.

I havent noticed a difference in quantity, but the night bite seems to have bigger fish. I caught my pb steelhead aroun 10:30 at night. (32" 13lbs)

My pap and I used to fish for them at night, still fishing style with a weighted nightcrawler and a #4 eagle.  Just toss it out in a still hole and let it sit till the tip starts to jiggle.  He always said it was best to go right after a rain as well.  As far as stream/creek conditions are concerned for cast and retreive fishing, looking for natural eddys and breaks where the water speed changes are good techniques for spinners and minnows.

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