Bull Trout

Bull trout are concentrated in the Pacific Northwest including the states of Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana. The best techniques for catching Bull trout include bait casting, spin casting and fly fishing using flies or lures.

Bull Trout

Region: West
Habitat: Lake, River

How to identify Bull Trout

The bull trout is part of the char family. It is so close in appearance to the Dolly Varden that to be identified, a trained scientist has to analyze them within a laboratory setting. Most chars found in clean/clear waters will be bull trout. These large fish have a big mouth and an upper jaw that juts out past its eyes. Their backs are olive-green, while their sides are a silvery color. The bodies of the adults are covered in red, pink, yellow, or orange spots.

Where to catch Bull Trout

The bull trout is rarely found in dirty water because, in order to survive, they require clean, clear water. They are often found in major drainage systems throughout Mexico, the U.S., and Canada. They are densely populated in the Pacific Northwest in deep pool bottoms of chilly mountainous waters, such as rivers and lakes. Bull trout have been recorded in California, Oregon, Washington, Montana, Idaho, Nevada, and Canada.

Range: West
Bull Trout Fishing Map

The following are habitats where you can catch Bull Trout:

How to catch Bull Trout

The best time to fish for bull trout is in the early morning or evening when they are actively feeding. Bull Trout are often found in locations where they can hide. Most anglers catch these fish using a medium-action spinning rod affixed with an 8-12 pound reel. Others have found success by float fishing with egg patterns. Some anglers prefer to fly fish for bull trout using a single-hand rod.

The following are effective fishing methods and techniques for catching Bull Trout:

Best Lures, Bait & Tackle to catch Bull Trout

Anglers who opt to catch bull trout by spin casting, should try using spinners, jigs, minnows, spoons, and crankbaits. Those who prefer fly fishing will find big streamers to be an effective choice.

The following are fishing lures, bait and tackle that can be used to catch Bull Trout: