Lindsay holding a large rainbow trout on a boat

Fall trout

Find the trout. Then choose your approach.

Troll when trout hold deep. Cast when they feed shallow. Start with a guide kit or choose your gear below.

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Trout gear

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Guide video

Fall trout fishing with Cal Kellogg

Capt. Cal Kellogg on choosing lures, adjusting trolling speed and finding feeding trout in fall.

Orders over $55 ship free Ships from San Joaquin, CA
Guide-designed tackle Fished by the guides whose names are on it
Reports and videos from the water Free in the Learning Center

Three checks before you go

Check the water

Cooling surface water moves trout up. Fish to the temperature and marks you find, not a calendar depth.

Depth lesson

Check the plant

On stocked lakes, read the CDFW schedule before you drive.

CDFW schedule

Check the conditions

After a storm, find clear water away from muddy inflows. Check access and launch conditions before leaving.

Lake conditions

About trout

This is the full trout arsenal, designed by guides and proven on the water from California to lakes across the country. Whether you troll deep or cast the shallows, the gear that puts rainbow, brown, and lake trout in the net is here.

Soft plastic minnows and worms for finesse, trolling spoons that flash and dart, hoochies and dodgers for the slow troll, and jigs for working structure. Every piece is built and tested by working guides, not pulled off a shelf. Pick your technique and stock the box.

Questions anglers ask

How do I choose a starting depth?

Check temperature, bait and marks on your lake. Adjust to the fish rather than a fixed calendar depth.

Should I troll fast or slow?

Choose the presentation first and run it at a speed that gives it the right action. Fish fast-trolled spoons clean. Use a separate slow setup when fish will not commit.

Can I fish these lures from shore?

Use a casting spoon, minnow or small jig within casting reach. Do not cast a dodger trolling setup.

Where do I check current stocking?

Use the CDFW fish planting schedule before leaving. Schedules can change.