Rainbow Trout Fishing UK

The most prominent feature is the broad, iridescent pink, red, or purple stripe running along each flank, which gives the fish its name. The body is typically olive-green to steely-blue on the back, fading to a silvery-white belly. Unlike brown trout, they have numerous small black spots covering the head, body, dorsal fin, and crucially, the entire tail fin. The adipose fin may also be spotted. In UK stillwaters, the adipose fin is often clipped by fish farms to mark them as stocked, sterile (triploid) fish. The inside of the mouth is white, another useful distinguishing feature from salmon and sea trout.

Rainbow trout are predominantly found in stocked stillwater fisheries across the UK, including small commercial pools, large reservoirs, and estate lakes. They require cool, clean, and well-oxygenated water to thrive, with an optimal temperature range of 12-18°C. While they are a riverine species in their native North American range, self-sustaining breeding populations in UK rivers are very rare and localised. Most river-caught rainbows are escapees from nearby stillwaters or fish farms. They are less tolerant of warmer, slower-moving water than many coarse fish, preferring areas with good flow or depth.

Primarily insectivores, rainbow trout feed heavily on aquatic invertebrates like midge pupae (buzzers), caddis and mayfly larvae, and freshwater shrimp. They are opportunistic and will also take terrestrial insects blown onto the water, such as daddy long legs and beetles. As they grow, their diet expands to include molluscs, leeches, fish eggs, and small prey fish like minnows and sticklebacks. In commercial fisheries, they also become accustomed to eating anglers' baits and fish farm pellets, making them highly adaptable feeders.

• Buzzer flies
• Nymph flies
• Dry flies
• Lure flies (e.g. Cat's Whisker)
• Spinners
• Spoons
• Powerbait
• Sweetcorn
• Maggots
• Worms

1. Jan – good
2. Feb – good
3. Mar – good
4. Apr – good
5. May – good
6. Jun – good
7. Jul – good
8. Aug – good
9. Sep – good
10. Oct – good
11. Nov – good
12. Dec – good

The statutory coarse fish close season (15 March - 15 June) on rivers in England and Wales does not apply to rainbow trout. However, some fisheries and rivers have their own local byelaws or club rules that may enforce a close season for trout, so always check local regulations.

Fly fishing is the classic method. On stillwaters, this involves using floating, intermediate or sinking lines to present flies at different depths. 'Nymphing' under an indicator or with a 'straight-line' setup is deadly, as is pulling streamer patterns and lures like the Cat's Whisker or Damsel Nymph. In summer, targeting rising fish with dry flies can be exhilarating. Spinning with small metal lures, such as spoons and spinners, is also highly effective where permitted. On bait-designated fisheries, simple float fishing tactics using maggots, sweetcorn or worms work well, as does ledgering with modern paste baits like Powerbait. Stalking the margins of clear water venues and presenting a bait or fly to a visible fish is a challenging but rewarding approach.

An Environment Agency rod licence is required to fish for rainbow trout in England and Wales. In Scotland, a national licence is not required, but a permit from the fishery owner or controlling angling club is mandatory. As a non-native species, it is illegal to introduce rainbow trout into any water without specific consent from the relevant environmental authority. Many fisheries operate specific kill or catch-and-release rules.

Rules change. Check current Environment Agency, NRW or Scottish regulations and the venue's own rules before fishing. Not professional or legal advice.

Counties with rainbow trout recorded on Tackl: Hampshire (2), Essex (2), Norfolk (1), East Sussex (1), Kent (1), Somerset (1), Cornwall (1), Surrey (1), Lincolnshire (1).

Where to fish in the UK · Fishing conditions today

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  Hardy 15ft 3 piece Fly Fishing Rod (Split Cane)

  £200.00

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  Hardy (Split Cane) 12ft 3 piece Fly Fishing Rod with spare tip

  £400.00

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  Sylvanflux 210 2 piece Spinning / lure Fishing Rod

  £39.99

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  gotuda spin 210 2 piece Spinning / lure Fishing Rod

  £31.99

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  Gotoda 210 2 piece Spinning / lure Fishing Rod

  £39.99

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  indigo reef 190 2 piece Spinning / lure Fishing Rod

  £29.99

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  Gotuda 210 2 piece Spinning / lure Fishing Rod

  £39.99

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  Berkley Havoc perch sick fish lure for bass/ Pike

  £6.25