I have a question regarding trout kept on a stringer during trout season (April-May). My question is, if trout die on a stringer, but are left in the water, will they go bad? I understand that water temperature probably plays a part in this, so lets say the water temp is 55-65. Will the trout go bad, or will the water keep them good for over 6hours?

No. The trout wont go bad. But I try to clean them as soon as I notice that they are dead.

I gut my trout right after I catch them. Then throw them in a bag or on a stringer. If the guts are out they won't go bad. Trout change color throughout the 6 hour period, but they are still good. It takes a lot for them to go bad.

I gut my trout right after I catch them. Then throw them in a bag or on a stringer. If the guts are out they won't go bad. Trout change color throughout the 6 hour period, but they are still good. It takes a lot for them to go bad.

x2, they will change color, but by no means will they go bad.

Use a toothbrush and get all of the bloodline out along the spine. Just a pointer.

Use a toothbrush and get all of the bloodline out along the spine. Just a pointer.

Depending on the size of the trout (bigger) you can also use a teaspoon.  Very effective gutting tool.  

I saw a stringer of trout that was about 2 weeks old, 6 of them.  What a waste!