Best Water Temperatures to Catch Trout (A Complete Guide)

While there are many things to consider when trout fishing, one of the most important is water temperature. The temperature of the water is an essential component of a fish’s habitat. It impacts eating and reproductive activity by causing fish to increase or reduce their activity levels, moving them into specific regions while avoiding others.

The best water temperature for trout is between 40-49° F but trout will actively feed within a water temperature range of 39 to 65° F. Water temperature plays a huge role in the behavior and feeding activity of trout.

This article will go over the importance of water temperature and how it affects trout fishing in this post. It will also predict the ideal water temperatures for each season, as well as how water temperature affects where trout travel.

Check out this link here to view my complete trout fishing gear recommendation list, including rods, reels, baits, gear, etc. I have field tested a lot of trout gear and these are my recommendations.

Best Water Temperature for Trout

The best water temperature for trout fishing is between 45 and 65° F. You run the danger of toying a fish to exhaustion if it gets any warmer. If it gets any colder, the fish will shut their jaws, and not bite, as they try to preserve energy. These are only suggestions, nevertheless, fishing at the warmer end of the spectrum can be deadly for the trout on your line and makes catch in release fishing lethal.

The temperature of a trout’s body is nearly identical to that of the water around it; they are cold-blooded. The first clue to solving the trout water temperature conundrum is that trout digest food more slowly in cold water, leading them to consume less.

The second clue relates to all fish, not just trout. When the temperatures rise, less dissolved oxygen can be found in the water, making it harder for trout to breathe. To solve this, trout swim deeper to find colder water or simply become lethargic. Either way, if the water is warmer than 65° F, the trout will feel more stress, and it will be harder to land.

You may be wondering how to catch fish ethically when the waters rise. The fact of the matter is, the peak season for many casual fishermen is during the summer when water temperatures are at their highest peak and fish are in danger.

The best tool to use is a steam thermometer, clipped to your person when fishing. A stream thermometer is a device developed particularly for taking reliable water temperature readings in streams and bodies of water. It can be used to determine trout and other fish’s optimum water temperature.

The best practice when using a steam thermometer, or any thermometer, is to check it frequently. I personally think it’s best to take 15 extra seconds after changing flies, to check the temperature. Better yet, if you have caught a fish or landed a bite, take a mental note of the temperature. This will ensure that you understand what temperatures work best in your area for trout fishing.

Rainbow/Brown Trout

The best temperature for catching bainbow and brown trout is anywhere between 44 to 67° F. Rainbow and Brown trout are the hardiest species of trout. This allows them to thrive in temperatures higher and lower than most other trout are able to.

Both species will get stressed when the water temperature reaches 68°. If the water temperature continues to increase and reaches 75 to 77° for a lengthy period of time, rainbow and brown trout will suffer. If the water temperature rises over 80°, these species can survive for up to 48 hours if the temperature does not stay that high. These temperatures are fatal, but rainbow/brown trout are incredibly robust to ever survive above 70°. 

Brook Trout

Brook trout require more oxygen (and hence a cooler water temperature) than rainbow or brown trout. This is why the majority of brook trout streams are found at higher elevations. The overall fatal water temperature for a Brook Trout varies according to studies. The ideal feeding temperature for brook trout is between 44 and 64° Fahrenheit.

The temperature at which a brook trout begins to stress is 65°, while the water temperature at which a brook trout can die is 70°.

Cutthroat Trout

Water temperatures of 39 to 59° are ideal for the feeding and movement of cutthroat trout. Cutthroats will become stressed and eat less if the water temperature reaches 60°. A Cutthroat trout’s fatal temperature ranges from 68.5 to 69° Fahrenheit.

Cutthroat trout are one of the less hardy species of trout and prefer colder water temperatures than other trout. When the weather gets hot, search for deep pools and shaded banks, especially if there’s ledge rock nearby that might indicate cold groundwater seeping in. Water from springs that flow into a river is typically colder in the summer and trout may be able to be found there.

Lake Trout 

Lake trout reside in chilly water that ranges from 40 to 52° Fahrenheit which are the ideal water temperatures to catch them. They usually stay on the bottom, but when the water temperature is at its ideal level, they can be discovered traveling towards the top. These fish are more active in the fall and early winter, or on colder days. The best time to catch Lake Trout is early morning, as it is their active feeding time.

To see my complete breakdown of the best water temperatures for fishing (all species both freshwater and saltwater), please check out this helpful article.

This fishing barometer is perfect for the novice and serious angler. It will take an accurate reading of the current barometric conditions and tell you if the fishing conditions are poor, good, or great.

One tool that will tell you exact water temperatures and give you an accurate picture of the situation below the surface is this castable fishfinder by Deeper. I own myself and really like it. Check it out for yourself.

Trout Activity Level By Temperature 

Trout dive deep when water temperatures rise and come to the surface when they cool down. Typically, a trout will descend around 2 feet for every degree change in water temperature.

This is not necessarily always true, though, as water temperatures depend on the specifics of a body of water. For example, a murky lake with a surface temperature of 60°, maybe 56° only three feet deeper. On the opposite scale, a crystal clear lake with a surface temperature of 60° may only be 59° 10 feet deeper.

While this is an estimate, many trollers will use this scale when catching trout in colder months on lakes or large bodies of water. So long as you understand the specificity of the body of water you are fishing in, though, it can be incredibly helpful.

For a complete breakdown of catching trout from shore, please check out this incredibly useful guide I wrote.

Seasonal Considerations & Water Temperature

Winter

Catching trout in the winter is a different challenge than summer fishing. Water temperatures are more constant in winter months, seeing that wind and spring inflow have less effect on the water.

Because the water is frozen most of the time in the winter, it is easier to determine the temperature. The water beneath the ice isn’t frozen, with temperatures ranging from 33 to 45° in deeper lakes. 

Since the colder temperatures, trout will take their time during the winter and will naturally seek water that is more suitable for them. Unlike in the summer, when trout would sit in quicker and shallower streams, gobbling up food as it passes by, trout in the winter will try to conserve energy. Therefore, it is unlikely to catch trout in anything other than deep lakes and slow-moving rivers.

Spring

Trout can be found enjoying themselves in water as shallow as 10 feet above mudflats and rocky outcroppings in late spring when the runoff is heavy. This is due to the fact that the water temperature is higher here, maybe up to 10° higher than the surrounding water.

Trout are active in the spring. It’s spawning season when the water temperatures reach 42 to 44°. When fishing during a spawn, it is best to land the fish as soon as possible to avoid tiring and stressing the fish. This will allow males to not squander their milt and females to not drop eggs. Fish should not be squeezed since this can harm their internal organs.

Spring is one of the best seasons for using action lures because of the high water levels. I prefer to use small jerk-baits and crankbaits with a low visibility line, such as a 2-pound test fluorocarbon.

Summer

Trout prefer to move into deep holes at the bottom of rapids as the season advances and the summer months kick in. They will lie in an eddy, or occasionally in front of something blocking the current. The trick is to be able to spot these pockets and efficiently bring your lure across them. Summer trout are best caught in the first hour or two after sunrise when the water begins to cool and the trout become more active.

As summer hits, it provides fishermen with a new obstacle, fishing ethically without stressing a fish to death. As the water temperature rises, trout become more stressed and tire out significantly easier. It makes catch and release harder, but bringing a steam thermometer and checking temperatures will make this easier.

Fall

Fishing in the fall is the most unpredictable season to fish in. Storms, rapid temperature fluctuations, high-pressure systems followed by low-pressure fronts characterize this time of year, and it is these weather variations that make consistent fishing difficult.

A cold September rain could lower a small pond by 10 to 15°. This drastically changes the movement of trout that inhabit this body of water. Typically speaking, trout will travel to wherever they can find food.

For example, brown trout begin to migrate toward their breeding grounds in the fall. When they do, they swim in the main course of the river where they can find crawfish, sculpins, suckers, salamanders, and large insects.

Does Water Temperature Affect Trout Feeding?

Water temperature has a direct impact on trout mobility and feeding schedules. Trout become lethargic when water temperatures decrease and feed on slower minnows and crayfish, although they won’t chase them far. Dependent on their food for a stable life, trout follow their food upstream rivers and into large lakes when the water temperatures drop.

Trout are the most active feeders when the water temperature is between 34 and 67° Fahrenheit. As stated before, trout become most active when the water rises one degree above 40, making it the best time to drop a line for them.

Weather Changes/Breaks Impact on Trout

The air temperature correlates directly to the water temperature. Rain has little effect on fish; they’re already wet. However, barometric pressure has an impact on them. Barometric pressure is driven down by incoming precipitation and colder temperatures, while it is raised by pleasant, warm, and clear weather. Many specialists believe that as the pressure changes, fish move more.

River fishing is excellent as a result of considerable rain runoff. The water is murkier, and runoff transports food sources into the river, such as worms and other creatures. Larger fish become more energetic and vulnerable to your lures as a result of this.

Water Temps & Spawning

The bottom line is that water temperature is the most crucial thing to consider when planning a spring freshwater fishing excursion around the fish spawning season. If you’re targeting rainbow trout this spring, one of the greatest times to fish will be when water temps remain consistent in the 42 to 44° Fahrenheit range.

Keep in mind that not all regions of a large lake will achieve the ideal spawning temperature at the same time. This means that various parts of a large lake may have different spawning times. Trout may dive or ascend to different depths, trying to find the water temperature that allows them to hunt and spawn happily.

Changes in the day/night cycle can cause spawning in some species. The longer hours of daylight not only heat the water but also allow bass eggs to hatch. In the case of rainbow trout, sunlight is needed for eggs to hatch.

Tips for Catching Trout Pertaining to Water Temperature

1. Start early

The first month of the season is a great time to go trout fishing. As water temperatures rise, sluggish trout are beginning to move again and rising to the surface of the water. Slow-moving water can be trolled with logs, boulders, or other cover. A deep, sluggish pool at the bottom of rapids or fast run is also a good spot to focus your efforts. Small spinners, no larger than size 1, should be used. Stick to bright colors like silver in clear water.

For a complete guide to trout fishing on clear, sunny days, check out this article. For trout fishing on cloudy days, check out this article I wrote.

2. Stocked trout are fed differently 

This is a crucial point to remember, and one that many trout fishermen neglect. It’s important to know whether the water in your area has native trout, stocked trout, or both. Stocked trout are accustomed to eating man-made fish food. As a result, readily available commercial products are extremely effective than natural ones. Furthermore, stocked trout frequently seek food on the surface. This isn’t to argue that classic trout fishing lures and flies won’t work; on the contrary, they will. This is especially true the longer a trout has lived in its new environment.

3. Fishing tail-waters

Tail-waters, or the rivers downstream from dams, are excellent fishing places for trout and a variety of other species. The velocity and temperature of the water can be adjusted to create optimal trout fishing conditions. Tailwater fisheries are home to some of the best trout fishing in the world. Anglers must exercise caution and heed safety warnings since water levels can swiftly increase.

4. Ice Fishing 

In chilly water, trout are at ease and feed well. For brook trout and lake trout, this is especially true. As a result, ice fishing for trout in both streams and lakes may be quite profitable. Jigs, spoons, and live and cut bait will all be effective. Trout, unlike many other species, remain active under the ice, cruising about and being discovered high in the water column.

Click here to see the best water temperature for brow trout fishing. Click here to see the best water temperature for rainbow trout. Click here to see the best water temperature for brook trout. Click here to learn the best water temperature for trout.