RAINBOW
TROUT
The Rainbow Trout: A Strong and Vibrant Sportfish
The rainbow trout, known for its beautiful coloration and tenacity in both attacking flies and fighting once hooked, is an angler favorite in Colorado. They can be found in just about every major river in the state, and are the most commonly caught species in most of those waterways. On this page, we’ll give you an in-depth look into this fascinating and gorgeous trout species.
Rainbow Trout: What They Look Like, When They Spawn, and More.
Rainbow trout, although not native to Colorado, look similar to many native cutthroat trout species. There are a number of clear differences, though, the most telling is the lack of the red slash along the jawline that all cutthroat species have. Additionally, rainbow trout have an even distribution of black spots along their green-silver-hued bodies, whereas most cutthroat species have an uneven distribution of spots. They have a bright pink cheekbone, white-tipped orange fins, and a white underbelly. They are best known, however, for the bright red band across the middle of their torsos, which is how they get the name rainbow trout.
Rainbow trout, like cutthroat trout, spawn in the spring, typically between March and June, although the specific timing depends on the temperature of the water they are in. Rainbow trout are not native to Colorado, but there are many self-sustaining strains in the state, making many of the populations wild. They typically live at lower elevations than cutthroat trout, meaning that anglers are more likely to find them in low- and mid-elevation rivers and lakes than in alpine lakes. Like all trout, rainbows need cool and oxygenated water to live in, so swift-moving rivers and cold mountain lakes are often the homes of this species.
Rainbow trout in Colorado are known to reach very large sizes. While the typical rainbow trout caught by anglers in Colorado will be between 8 and 14 inches in length, it is not uncommon for rainbows to grow upwards of 20 inches in length. The state record rainbow trout was a whopping 34 inches long and just shy of 20 pounds in weight, and every year there are some trout caught that also approach these numbers. Rainbows are known to be less selective feeders than other trout species, meaning that they are typically easier to catch on a fly rod than other trout. They are, however, strong fighters once hooked, making for a fun and challenging fight for all anglers.
Rainbow trout can be targeted year-round in Colorado. During the warmer months of the year, rainbows often sit near the water’s surface and can be caught on dry flies like caddis and blue-winged olives. In the colder months, they will be in deep water and can be caught on nymph rigs on slow-stripped streamers. Whether you're an old hand or eager for your first experience out on Colorado waters, you are sure to have a pleasure-filled time fishing for rainbow trout.
