Trout Fishing in Lakes versus Rivers

Given local trout fishing opportunities, many anglers find themselves fishing primarily in lakes compared to rivers and streams (or vice versa). While this is fine, the problem is that many anglers think they can fish a river the same way they fish a lake, or fish a lake the same way they fish a river. This is not necessarily the case.

Water conditions are different in lakes versus rivers and streams. As a result, trout tend to behave differently too.

Rivers and streams having moving water (or currents). As water flows down the river, the banks are shaped (and reshaped) and rocks, logs, and other debris are moved. Best of all (from a trout's perspective), food is also carried in the moving current. Heavy rains can result in more changes to the river landscape and color.

Lakes are primarily stillwater - meaning they generally lack flowing water. So the surrounding banks, rocks, etc. rarely change. While heavy rains are great for water levels, they generally aren't going to change the landscape of the lake. Also, because there is no moving water, food is not carried in a current from one place to another - which in turn means that trout have to swim around and find it.

All of these conditions affect trout fishing.

Security and protection are very important to trout. Rivers and streams tend to be shallower than lakes, so trout will look for undercut banks, tree logs, big rocks, etc. to provide cover and protection. While these things may be present in some lakes, they tend to be more present in rivers and streams.

In rivers and streams, moving water also means that trout can lie in wait for food to come to them (assuming the current isn't too strong and food is available).

In lakes, trout usually have to swim around and find food (as opposed to letting the current bring food to them). Also, in order to find comfort and protection trout will have to head for deeper water at times, which can make finding them difficult in a lake.

Many anglers find river and stream fishing much easier since trout can be easier to find once you learn to read the river. You still have to have some skill in selecting the rod, reel, line, and tackle, and know how to entice the trout into taking your offering - but you may have an easier time finding trout (assuming you know how to read a river). Often times, you can keep fishing the same holding area and catch trout after trout.

The biggest challenge for lake fishers is finding trout. Fish finders are a great asset on the lake. The better ones can not only find fish, but also tell you what depth they're at. But if fish are scattered throughout the lake (as they tend to be at certain times of the year), it can be difficult to locate a good fishing spot - and often you're left with having to cast and wait for trout to swim by and find your baited hook.

While you may be able to fish nightcrawlers or artificial flies on both lakes and rivers, the conditions are different and therefore may require some different tactics. You may have to look harder to find trout in lakes compared to a river. On the other hand, knowing how to read the water is critical to success on rivers and streams.

One thing is common to both water conditions though, and that is that morning and dusk are usually best the time to catch trout. This is not to say you can't catch trout at other times of the day (you can). But insects are out and out in large numbers at dawn and dusk and so trout are too!

It's important to be aware of different water conditions and how they may affect where trout are holding and/or feeding if you want to catch them.

For more information on trout fishing in rivers, click here.