The Complete Guide To Trout Fishing In Australia

Fishing for Trout has got to be one of the most quintessential freshwater fishing experiences an angler can enjoy. For thousands of years, the Brown Trout in particular has been a coveted quarry across the UK and Europe, and while Trout aren't native to Australia they've been populating freshwater waterways across our southern states for over 150 years.

It all started back in April 1864 when the good ship Norfolk arrived from England carrying the first Trout ova to grace our shores. In May, those Brown Trout hatched in Tasmania's Plenty River, and eventually became the founding population for many fisheries across Australia. Nowadays, waterways in the southern states host healthy populations of Brown, Brook and Rainbow Trout, and regular stocking programs bolster their numbers in rivers and lakes across VIC, NSW and Tasmania and beyond.

If you're keen to know how to catch a Trout so you can take your place in Australia's fishing history, you're in the right place. We've got all the information you need to know about how and where to catch a Trout, so you'll be all set to grab your rod and lures and start casting!

Quick Links

• When Is The Best Time Of Year For Trout Fishing?
• Where To Catch Trout In Australia?
• How Do You Catch Trout?
• Trout Fishing Styles
• Fly Fishing For Trout
• How To Cast When Trout Fishing
• Spinning For Trout

When Is The Best Time Of Year For Trout Fishing In Australia?

When Trout season is on can vary from state to state and year to year, so it's always good to check local regulations before heading out. During the closed season the Trout are spawning, so make sure you're aware of the relevant dates for your state as this downtime gives the Trout a chance to repopulate, ensuring our fisheries stay healthy for years to come. If you want to drop a line in over the closed season, head to a lake or impoundment as these are open to Trout fishing all year round - just make sure you've got a current fishing license for the state you're fishing in.

The best time of year to try and bag a Trout varies on a lot of factors, and it's worth trying your luck across the entire open season. That said, spring can often see Trout on the bite as food becomes more abundant when waters warm up after the winter cold. Trout also becomes more active with rising temperatures, which is another reason spring tends to deliver results.

Where Are The Best Places To Catch Trout In Australia?

Australia's southern states have both wild and stocked populations of Brown and Rainbow Trout, as well as some Brook Trout. While Trout waters vary substantially, generally speaking high altitude, fast-flowing streams and rivers are a good bet for wild Trout, while many lakes are regularly stocked. Here's a closer look at what's on offer in each state.

Trout Fishing Areas In New South Wales

In NSW, the Snowy Mountains and Monaro regions hold the majority of Trout fisheries, and this area is highly regarded. For example, Thredbo River, Lake Eucumbene, the Upper Murrumbidgee River and Lake Jindabyne are as renowned for their world-class fishing opportunities as they are for their picturesque settings.

Closer to Sydney, the Blue Mountains provide some fantastic Trout fishing lakes and rivers, including a significant winter Rainbow Trout fishery in the tributaries of Warragamba Dam. On the western side of the Blue Mountains, the Oberon district is also highly regarded. The Department of Primary Industries has helpful in-depth Trout fishing guides for NSW's southern, central and northern waters if you're not sure where to go.

Places For Trout Fishing In Victoria

Trout can be found in lakes and rivers across Victoria. The state supports wild populations in many of its rivers, while a robust stocking program sees lakes across the state boasting decent Trout fishing. Some great places to start are Lake Purrumbete and Lake Bullen Merri, as well as Lake Eildon and its feeder and tailrace waterways such as the Goulburn River and Jamieson River.

Trout need cool, clean, well-oxygenated water to thrive, so head to water at higher altitudes during summer (waters across the Victorian high country are some of the best in the country), or target rivers in forested areas that offer plenty of shade and good flows and depths. Check out the Victorian Fishing Authority website for more information.

South Australian Locations For Trout Fishing

While perhaps not as abundant as its neighbouring states, South Australia does manage to maintain a Trout fishery with decent numbers of Brown and Rainbow Trout in a selection of small streams and reservoirs. Rainbow Trout populations are only sustained through stocking programs but there are wild populations of Brown Trout in some creeks. More information on reservoirs and reserves suitable for Trout fishing can be found on the SA Water website.

Trout Fishing Spots In Western Australia

A large amount of Trout in West Australian waterways and streams are stocked fish, so the potential of different Trout waters is determined by recent stocking programs. The WA DPI website has a wealth of information on stocked waters, bag limits and licensing. Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout can be found in the far north, but many rivers in the southwest are also worth exploring. Some of the most productive Trout waters in WA include Big Brook Dam, Blackwood River, Donnelly River, Glen Mervyn Dam, Logue Brook Dam, Murray River, Warren River and Wellington Dam.

Where To Go Trout Fishing In Tasmania

Australia's oldest and arguably best Trout fisheries can be found in Tassie's cold, clear streams. Nearly all freshwater rivers, streams and lakes in Tasmania hold Trout, and the state is regarded by many as the holy grail of Australian Trout fishing. For information on individual waters, licensing and bag limits, the Tasmanian government's Trout Fish Tasmania is an excellent resource, and our Ultimate Guide To Trout Fishing In Tasmania has everything else you need to know.

What Do You Need To Do To Catch Trout?

Every angler has their own favourite styles and techniques for catching Trout, but there are some ways you can increase your odds, no matter how you approach the challenge. Whether you're a bait fishing aficionado or dead-set on using lures, using the right gear and keeping these tips in mind will help boost your chances of success.

What Time Of Day Is Best For Trout Fishing?

The time of day you're most likely to catch Trout can depend on where you're fishing, but as a general rule the early hours of the morning - roughly from dawn to about two hours after sunrise - are your best bet. If you can't get down to your Trout fishing spot that early, then late afternoon (about three hours before sunset) is your next best option.

Reading The River

As with any kind of fishing, your chances of getting bites will be severely reduced if you don't know where the fish are holding, and this is particularly true for Trout. Understanding how to read a river is an absolute necessity when it comes to learning how to catch a Trout.

Reading a river is a skill that takes time to hone. You need to spend time on the water and learn as you go. But that said, there are a few things to look for that will get you off to a running start. Trout like to have shelter and a steady stream of food drifting by, and they conserve energy whenever possible. So look for places within the river or stream that will provide Trout with these things, like spots under fallen trees or branches and transitions from shallow to deeper water. A great way to get your river reading skills up to scratch is to go on a Trout fishing charter. This will set you up for success when it's time to head out on your own.

Trout Fishing Styles

Depending on your preferences and level of experience, Trout can be targeted with a range of fishing styles, the most popular being bait fishing or spinning with lures. Whichever method you choose, it always pays to remember that Trout are finicky fish and they're easily spooked. Moving around quietly, especially in smaller bodies of water, will up your chances of bagging your quarry.

A landing net is a must-have. When catching Trout, always remember these fish are very slippery because they have a slime membrane that covers a Trout's skin. This not only makes them hard to hold onto but it's also extremely important for the fish's health. For this reason, always minimise the time you have the fish out of the water, and if you have to handle it make sure your hands are wet (dry hands will strip the slime layer off the fish).

Fly Fishing For Trout

Fly fishing takes the angling experience up a notch, though for the uninitiated it can be a steep learning curve and therefore rather frustrating. But if you're willing to persevere, it won't take you all that long to build up enough know-how to get out on the water and start catching Trout. Instead of bait or lures, fly fishers use flies (unsurprisingly). These are designed to be lightweight and mimic the size, shape and behaviour of the insects Trout like to feed on.

Because flies have practically no weight to them, the flyfisher has to use the weight of the fly line to cast - this is what takes some practice. A great way to get a good start on building your skills is to go on a guided fly-fishing tour. These usually run for half a day or a full day and will set you up with the necessary knowledge and skills to start catching Trout on the fly.

What Colour Fly Is Best For Trout Fishing?

The best colour fly to use for Trout depends on factors like the water conditions, the time of day and the type of Trout you're targeting. In murky water, darker colours like black, olive or brown work best, while in clearer water you'll do better with lighter colours like pea green or yellow. For deep water, try contrasting colour schemes like black on white. If the conditions are bright, flashy colours like yellow and orange work well, whereas black is good in dark conditions. Plus, always aim to use flies that match the bugs the Trout are feeding on.

How To Cast When Trout Fishing

Whether you're spinning, bait fishing or fly fishing, it's important to cover the body of water you're fishing. To do this effectively, you need to decide on your starting point and your endpoint and systematically work through the river one section at a time. When lure or fly fishing for Trout, it's always best to start downstream and work your way upwards towards the top of a pool or run. Because Trout face into the current and look upstream for passing food sources, they'll react better to a lure presented naturally in the current.

What's The Best Setup For Spinning For Trout?

If you're going spinning for Trout, you'll want to keep your outfit light. For line, a great start is 4 to 6lb monofilament or braid for the mainline, matched with a 6-8lb fluorocarbon leader. A 1000 to 3000 size spinning reel (check to make sure the reel capacity matches up with the line you're planning to use) paired with a 6.6/7ft spinning rod is a good all-round combo. Then, you just need to decide whether you'll be using bait or lures.

What Bait Is Best For Catching Trout?

When it comes to choosing the best bait for Trout, your best bet is going to be bait such as wattle grubs, grasshoppers, cockroaches, crickets, mudeyes and even common garden worms. You must also check the Trout fishing guidelines in your area, as some will have certain restrictions such as not using fish or frogs as Trout bait.

What Is The Best Trout Fishing Lure?

There are hundreds of hard body and soft plastic lures made for Trout, and the best one for you will depend on where and when you're fishing. Targeting Trout with a light spinning combo and inline spinners is one of the most tried and tested methods for catching Trout. That said, old faithfuls like the Tasmanian Devil and Mepps spinners are hard to pass up, along with hardbody lures in the 50 to 75mm size range.

What Weight Sinker Should I Use For Trout?

When you're out to catch Trout, the correct weight of the sinker is going to be determined by the specific depth of the water you're fishing in, combined with the amount of drift by the wind. The common rule of thumb is:

• 10 to 20m deep with no/little wind: 1oz (29g)
• 15 to 25m deep with little wind: 1.5oz (42g)
• 20 to 35m with some wind: 2oz (56g)

What Size Hook Works Best For Catching Trout?

When determining the best size of hook for catching Trout, you'll want to choose between a size 8 and a size 14 fishing hook. This is because Trout live in clear waters and have excellent eyesight, so fishing with a smaller hook will give you a better chance of the Trout not noticing the hook in the water.

Experience The Fun Of Trout Fishing In Australia Today

If you love the outdoors, Trout fishing provides a great alternative to saltwater angling. Not only is catching Trout great fun, but many of the waters that hold them also happen to be in some of Australia's most beautiful natural settings, which makes fishing for Trout a pleasure no matter how many you catch. Sure, Trout fishing can be difficult to master at times, but with a little perseverance you're guaranteed some of the best fishing you'll ever experience. Just get out there and give Trout fishing a go - you won't regret it!

With the helpful tips for Trout fishing you've learned, you're all set for the perfect fishing escape with the family. But before you head out, make sure you're fully stocked up on all the fishing gear you'll need, such as fishing lines, fishing rods, fishing reels and much more. And make sure you check out our Adventure Centre for more awesome and helpful fishing tips such as:

• Top 10 Lures For Catching Trout
• Ultimate Guide To Trout Fishing In Tasmania
• How To Catch A MONSTER Murray Cod
• How To Modify Lures

Find your local Anaconda store and check out our extensive range of fishing supplies to get you ready for your next Trout fishing trip.