A lot of fisherfolk like to challenge themselves when catching various kinds of fish. If this sounds like you, you should try your luck and see if you can grab the golden rainbow trout.

These fish aren’t just striking appearance-wise; they are also very delicious! They have a unique taste that is hard to find in other types of fish.

The good news is that you don’t need to be an expert fisherman to get one. All you need is some patience, the right knowledge, and a little bit of luck!

You’ll learn more about this unique type of fish in this article. We’ve also included a few tips that can help you catch one the next time you go fishing.

Keep reading to discover where you can find these beautiful fish so you can give it a try yourself!

About The Golden Rainbow Trout

Golden rainbow trout are not as common as their cousins, the rainbow trout, as they have a distinct golden hue to their scales.

You can pick one out easily thanks to the noticeable red line that runs across their body.

Golden rainbow trouts are very unique, but they were first genetically modified in 1956 in West Virginia. A biologist first found a yellow-spotted fish swimming among rainbow trout inside a Petersburg hatchery.

They removed the yellow fish to a different pond to create more fish with the same coloring.

After months of experimentation, the hatchery was able to create fish with the same golden hue, spending the next years aiming to increase their size and number.

In 1962, West Virginia DNR biologists decided to release the golden rainbow trout in standard rainbow trout supplies throughout the state.

Golden Rainbow Trout And Palomino Trout

It can be difficult to know whether you’ve caught a palomino trout or a golden rainbow trout, as they look relatively similar.

Understanding their differences will help you know which one you’ve caught the next time you go fishing.

Palomino trouts are a mix of normal rainbow trouts and golden rainbow ones. This is why they are both found in the same areas, so it’s easy to mistake each one for another.

Visual Differences Between Palomino Trout And Golden Rainbow Trout

Golden rainbow trouts will be yellow or gold. Their fins and cheeks can be pink or light red, while each fish has a red stripe on its side.

Palomino trouts look more like albino trouts and won’t have this red stripe. They are often called banana trout’s as their whole form is a light yellow shade.

Differences Between Golden Trout And Golden Rainbow Trout

If you haven’t fished for trout before, you should understand some of the differences between golden trout and golden rainbow trout.

The two fish types don’t look similar, but their similar names can be confusing for fisherfolk.

Golden trouts will have yellow sides and a medium-green back. Their golden sides are why they are known as golden trout.

Each fish will have ten dark marks on its body, along with black traces on its tails. Their fins will be orange with white borders next to the black lines.

They may have a similar name, but golden trout and rainbow trout are separate species. Golden trout originally come from California, though they can be found in other locations like Canada, Idaho, and Wyoming.

Places To Catch Golden Rainbow Trout

Golden rainbow trout stocking programs occur all over the United States. As long as you know they are being stocked, you can try and fish for them within any state you’d like.

Despite this, you’ll have the best luck searching for these fish in the eastern states.

The best states to look for golden rainbow trout are West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, Rhode Island, and Maryland.

Do your research to find out where they are being stocked, then have a go at catching them!

Tips On Catching Golden Rainbow Trout

You might not think that a fish would be hard to catch, but many things can make them slip out of your grasp.

When it comes to golden rainbow trout, more and more people are trying to find them, which means that they can be difficult to catch.

Here are a few tips that can make it easier for you to catch golden rainbow trout.

Aim To Fish Soon After Stocking

Trouts are fish that learn and adapt quickly. They can soon become averse to bait and lures, making them difficult to catch.

If you want to get the most out of your golden rainbow trout fishing trip, aim to fish after they’ve been stocked.

Find the stocking schedule and plan your fishing trip around that day. Lots of anglers do this, so you’ll notice that these areas will start to fill up quickly.

Despite this, fishing around stocking will make it more likely to catch a golden rainbow trout.

Set Out Earlier

There’s a greater chance of fish biting once they’ve been resting the night before, particularly in locations that receive a lot of pressure.

Some anglers try to line and use illegal methods, like netting, to catch these trouts. These methods scare the fish and lower the chances of them biting.

Setting out early can help avoid these people and increase the chances of grabbing one of these fish.

Try Different Lures And Baits

Golden rainbow trouts can experience a lot of pressure, which is why they can easily become bait and lure shy. Try to use various kinds of lures and baits that they may not see a lot.

You may need to trial and error until you find a bait that works well.

Some good choices include minnows or worms coated in bait dye. Bait dye can make lures and baits look more shiny and appealing to fish.

If you choose to fish on the day the hatchery releases the fish, choose baits that look like feed pellets to maximize your chances.

The Bottom Line

Golden rainbow trout are interesting fish with a beautiful appearance. Unlike Palomino trouts and golden trouts, these are yellow with a red line down their side.

These can be found all over the country, as long as you have some patience! Golden rainbow trout may be slippery fish, but you can maximize your chances of grabbing one with the tips above.

Fishing around the stocking times can be useful, as well as using different lures to make the trout bite. These fish are intelligent, so they can be bait shy.

Using bait dye can make the bait look shinier and more attractive to the fish, so they are more likely to bite.

Fishing early in the morning is another good idea, as fish are less restless when they’ve been resting overnight.

Early fishing helps to avoid crowds of anglers, especially those that use illicit methods to catch these fish.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are The Differences Between Golden Rainbow Trouts And Golden Trouts?

Golden trout are named for their golden sides. They have green backs with distinct, darker marks on their surface. Their fins have white edges with orange scales and darker lines.

Golden trout are a different species from rainbow trout, but they are related.

Golden rainbow trouts are completely golden apart from a pink/red line that runs across their form. All trouts can jump four times their length, making them great fighters.

How Can You Catch Golden Rainbow Trout?

You can catch golden rainbow trout in the same way you would to fish for standard rainbow trout. These fish can be found in rivers and streams, though you may have some luck fishing in lakes.

These fish can be bait shy, so it’s best to use bait with a distinct smell or flashing lures to attract the fish. Try to fish around stocking times or early in the morning, when the fish aren’t as active.

Read also: Best Rod for Trout Fishing

Which States Are Golden Trout Available In?

For recreational fishing, golden trout are widely available within the Western states. You can find golden trout in California, Washington, Wyoming, and Montana.

They used to be available around Nevada’s Ruby Mountains lake, but over the past few years, their number has since declined.

Are Golden Rainbow Trouts Like Rainbow Trouts?

Golden rainbow trouts are the colored versions of rainbow trout. These fish are practically completely yellow, apart from a clear red or pink line running laterally across each fish.

Rainbow trout also have a pink line across them, but instead of being yellow, they can be blue, green, or yellow-green. They will also have a white underside and little black marks across their fins and back.

Both of these fish aren’t likely to venture out to sea, though there may be instances where they will leave their freshwater residence.

They usually prefer rivers and streams, though you may find them in some lakes.