Native salmonid valued for its abundance, subtle take, and fine eating quality. Prefers cold, oxygen-rich waters and often found alongside trout.
Where to Catch: Larger rivers, tailwaters, and cool lakes. Look for deep pools, runs below riffles, and drop-offs near gravel bottoms.
Best Time to Fish: Year-round in open water; late fall spawning draws concentrations into shallower runs.
| Season | Activity |
|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | Good in warming shallows; nymphs and small jigs work well in moderate currents. |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Very good; active early and late in the day. Drift nymphs, scuds, or small soft plastics. |
| Fall (Sep–Nov) | Excellent pre-spawn; fish gather in riffles and tailouts. Egg patterns and nymphs excel. |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Fair under safe ice; use small jigs or flies tipped with maggots/worms near bottom. |
Peak Season: September–November during pre-spawn and spawn runs.
Tackle & Tips
Lures: Small spoons, micro-jigs, and beadhead nymphs drifted near the bottom.
Bait: Maggots, worms, single eggs (where legal).
Leaders: 7–9 ft, 4–6 lb mono or 4X–5X tippet for fly setups.
Gear: 3–5 wt fly rods with floating or nymphing lines; light spinning rods with sensitive tips for detecting soft bites.
