Trout is usually associated with spring fishing and is often one of the first species to be chased in local waters. By late summer, many anglers had moved on to bass or catfish, and many of the stocked trout had long been harvested. But this does not mean you can not still fill a creel if you do the work.

Sunrise and sunset

Stay calm if you have chores around the house or a day at the pool on the calendar. Summer trout fishing is not an all-day activity. You may want to avoid being near a trout stream when the midday sun is hot. Trout are susceptible to temperature changes and will be most active during the cooler, not quite so bright periods around sunrise and sunset.

High mountains and fast water

Because of their sensitivity to temperature, many of your favorite springtime streams are going to be a bust. They are too hot for trout to survive. Instead, you need to focus on mountain streams and faster water. These waters, or water sections, will be calmer and have higher oxygen levels- keys to trout survival.

Ninja Fishing

Unlike Opening Day, when anglers line the banks and pull limits out of the same hole, summer fish are slightly leer. These fish have often lived through the regular season, maybe even been hooked a time or two. Do they have increased survival instincts? The brighter, higher sun will increase shadows and make anglers easier to spot. Move slower, stay lower, and try to get your lure in front of them with as little disruption as possible. If you see a trout, it will probably be spooked, but it will not take your lure in the first two or three casts. Back off, try another pool, and reevaluate. You may have more luck later on rather than continuing to pursue a fish that has already detected you.

Open the Tackle Box

Every trout angler has their favorite lures. Although they probably have dozens of lures and flies to choose from, there are always a half dozen or so they turn to when looking to fill a limit. Summer is the perfect time to change things up a bit. Try throwing bigger, faster options that move water and grab the trout’s attention–large minnows and nightcrawlers for the bait fishermen, larger spinners, streamers, and even medium-jerk baits for everyone else. Do not hesitate to toss a big, colorful mouthful when chasing hungry summer trout.

Now we get to a delicate subject: keeping fish or practicing catch and release. Catch and release has grown in popularity in the past couple of decades. It is not uncommon for anglers to return every trout they catch during the regular season, even on Opening Day. While this is an acceptable form of fishing and goes a long way to provide continued fishing opportunities, it may not have a place during late summer trout trips.

The higher temperatures and lower oxygen levels of late summer add a lot of stress to a trout’s day. Add even a short fight before landing, making a successful release nearly impossible. If you will chase late summer trout, you should be prepared to harvest what you catch. Although this will vary based on the specific waters you fish, and more excellent spring feed streams may still allow for catch & release, many trout you catch are unlikely to survive if released.

Whether you are an avid trout angler or simply looking for a way to enjoy a few hours away from cutting the lawn, summer trout offers a perfect way to enhance one of the state’s favorite fish.

Good luck, good fishing!