Rainbow/Brown Trout Fishing Tips

Rainbow/Brown Trout Fishing Tips

The Ohio Division of Wildlife stocks “catchable” rainbow trout (10-14 inches) during spring and fall in various
lakes and ponds and brown trout (6-9 inches) during October in Clear Creek, Clear Fork River and the Mad River.
Catchable rainbow trout are stocked to provide immediate fishing opportunities for a short period of time and these
 fish are expected to remain the size they were when they were stocked. Habitat in Ohio waters generally prevent
rainbow trout from surviving through the summer in these waters. Brown trout are stocked to provide longer-term
fishing opportunities since they are stocked at smaller sizes and expected to survive a number of years after
stocking. Most anglers do not consider brown trout to be a harvestable size until they measure at least 12 inches.
Trout fishing in Ohio is maintained solely through annual stockings since rainbow and brown trout are not native
to Ohio and our habitats do not promote natural reproduction.

TIPS

Rainbow Trout:
Cast jig with maggots using a stop-and-retrieve approach.
Brown Trout:
Stay close to the stream bottom.
Use fluorocarbon leaders for both species.