As you probably know, there are hundreds of different types of trout fishing bait out there. The best all around trout bait is the earthworm… but it’s not the best in all situations. I want to take you through a handful of baits, and help you figure out whats the best bait for trout fishing in your lake, pond or river.
But here’s the truth… choosing the right trout bait is a good first step but it’s equally important to know about location, presentation, and gear.
So after you read about trout baits, be sure to follow the links to gear, tips and techniques.
How To Catch Stocked Trout
Trout are one of the most popular fish to be stocked in the US. They are raised in protected environments. Because of this, they don’t really go through survival of the fittest. This makes them easier to catch than most wild trout.
They are fed on fish pellets which are a small, dark green or brown colored pellet. If you go to a fish hatchery you may be able to watch the trout be fed. Some hatcheries will let you feed them yourself. As soon as the pellets hit the water, the surface starts boiling with fish frantically trying to get a bite before it’s all gone.
Bait For Stocked Trout
Use baits that resemble their feed pellets. Powerbait either in dough form or marshmallow form does a good job of resembling fish pellets, and send out a powerful scent trail. Since these baits float, It is best to fish them on a bottom rig.
Here is an article all about bottom fishing for trout.
If the trout seem to be closer to the surface you can try fishing with a piece of worm or salmon egg under a bobber. Stocked trout will likely taste test anything that is bite-sized and catches their attention.
Hatchery fish are usually stocked in lakes when they have reached 8-12 inches. Most of the fish are caught by humans or predators within the first year of being stocked, but a few wiser or luckier trout will survive for a couple more years and continue to grow. Some states will even keep a few fish in the hatchery to grow up to 20 inches or more before releasing them.
How To Catch Wild Trout
Generally, wild trout are a little more difficult to catch. But if you enjoy a good challenge, these fish are strong and don’t give up without a fight.
Wild trout eat mainly aquatic insects and worms. Even big trout often eat small insects… Otherwise what what are fly fishermen out there doing? I am not only a bait fisherman but also a fly fisherman. One of my biggest trout was caught on a size 18 elk hair caddis. If you look closely at the picture below you’ll see the tiny fly in the corner of his mouth.
Bait For Wild Trout
Fortunately, as bait anglers we can buy or catch bugs to use as bait. You can buy crickets and mealworms at most pet stores. You can buy earthworms at Walmart or some tackle shops and gas stations. Or if you want to save money, just catch your own!
Now lets go more in depth with the specific baits…
Earthworms
Worms are the all around best bait for trout fishing. This is the bait most people start with, and when fished correctly it can be one of the most effective!
Why do fish eat worms? because they are wiggly, soft and easy to swallow.
There are many types of aquatic worms that trout are used to eating, and whenever it rains earthworms are washed into the water. So they are actually a natural food for trout.
You can buy a cup of worms at most fishing shops, and sometimes even gas station near common fishing spots. you can even buy worms at Walmart.
Don’t use a whole big Walmart worm. Use a section that is only 4 inches or less.
And if you want free worms, just dig them up!
To fish worms I recommend fishing them under a bobber, as trout generally don’t like digging in the mud for their food.
If your worm is on the bottom you’ll also be more likely to catch other species like sucker fish… Not necessarily a bad thing! But if you are set on catching trout, keep it off the bottom.
Powerbait
Powerbait is another classic trout fishing bait. It comes in many different colors and scents.
Not only do the colors (and sometimes glitter) catch the eyes of the trout, but as the Powerbait dissolves it releases a scent that spreads through the water, pulling fish in from farther distances.
Personally I like to stick with either green, red or pink, but part of the fun is experimenting with different colors to see what the fish prefer that day.
Powerbait is best fished in ponds or lakes as it allows the scent to spread out from one location rather than being washed away and diluted by a fast river current.
Powerbait is designed to float and is most effective fished off the bottom with a sliding sinker.
It’s common to use treble hooks for Powerbait, but I usually practice catch and release so I prefer using a size 12 bait holder hook.
You can fish Powerbait under a bobber but be sure to use a splitshot to hold the bait under water. The splitshot should be about 5-6 inches above the bait.
The problem with using a bobber is that you don’t have direct tension between your hook and bobber, so you are more likely to miss bites from finicky trout.
Since Powerbait is far from natural, it works better for catching stocked trout rather than wild trout.
Mealworms
Mealworms are less commonly used as fishing bait, but they can be deadly!
These golden segmented wigglers are very familiar to trout. Mealworms themselves are not an aquatic insect, but they do look very similar to pupa and larva that are naturally found in the water.
The more familiar a bait looks to a fish, the less hesitant he is to eat it. That’s why mealworms are such an effective trout bait!
Thread the worm halfway onto a size 10-12 bait holder hook leaving plenty of tail to wiggle around. Fish it under a bobber or with a small splitshot.
Superworms, waxworms and mealworms (all very similar) work great it rivers. Especially if you see a lot of caddis flies around, as caddis fly larva have some similarities to mealworms.
Cast the bait upstream and let it drift down close to the bottom of the river. This is where trout are looking for food.
If you can get your bait within a foot or two of the fish, he’ll quickly swim over and grab it! And that’s when you set the hook!
You can find mealworms in some bait shops, but another place to get them is in pet stores. People usually feed mealworms to their pet reptiles.
Pet stores are also a good place to get crickets, and other live baits to experiment with.
I like mealworms because they are already the perfect bite-sized bait for trout. You don’t have to cut them up like you do earthworms. And they aren’t slimy…
And another thing… they are super cheap at around $3 for 100 worms
Salmon Eggs
Salmon eggs are another tackle box staple. They come in a small jar with enough eggs to last you a very long time. And since they are a natural bait, fish love them.
Although you can use salmon eggs in lakes and ponds, I find they work best in creeks and rivers. Probably because that’s where salmon lay eggs…
The best time to use eggs is around the spawning season (not only salmon but other fish spawn as well). This is because trout are already on the lookout for loose eggs flowing down the river.
There are specific hooks called egg hooks that should be used when fishing with salmon eggs. The hooks are smaller and more circular with just enough room for one or two eggs.
Salmon eggs don’t dissolve like Powerbait does, but they still put off a scent that’ll help convince fish to chomp them down.
You can fish salmon eggs in a lake or pond, but I prefer Powerbait as it leaves a better scent trail.
Since the eggs sink, I’ll usually fish them under a bobber, but there have been times when bottom fishing salmon eggs has done the trick. Check out this page on Bottom Fishing For Trout.
If you want a little flash, look for eggs that come mixed with glitter. Flashy baits are best on sunny days.
Another tip is when I’m fishing a jig like the Trout Magnet, I’ll add a salmon egg for scent.
Bread
Believe it or not, Bread is one of my favorite trout baits! It can also be the best trout bait if used in the right way at the right location.
I have explained how to use it in other posts, but basically the trick is to microwave a slice for 10 seconds or so, then flatten it. This makes it rubbery and stay on the hook longer.
You can use a straw to punch a little pellet out of the slice and put that on a small hook. Fish this under the smallest most sensitive bobber possible.
I haven’t tried this bait in bigger bodies of water… It’s reserved it for the most ideal locations…. Duck ponds!
This bait is best when fished in neighborhood ponds or park ponds where people often feed ducks… get it? As people feed ducks bread, pieces will get waterlogged and sink. Fish love this!
In fact, it’s not a bad idea to feed some ducks first. Their splashing and quacking will be like a dinner bell for the fish. After feeding the ducks, shew them away and put your little piece of bread on the hook and drop it straight below where you had been feeding the ducks.
Watch that bobber close, because it won’t be long! In some ponds I have caught dozens of fish per hour with bread just 10-15 feet off the bank. It’s almost too easy!
This isn’t a trout-only method… All the fish in that pond will love bread. You may even hook into a giant carp!
Next Let’s Get You The Best Gear For The Job!
Once you have chosen your bait, it’s time to move on to tackle and gear. Having the right hooks, line, rod and reel can be just as important as choosing the right bait. So be sure to follow the links below!
Get the best trout hook for your bait
Find the best fishing line for trout
