Columbia river redband trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri

Family

Salmonidae

Max Length

120 cm

Max Weight

25 kg

IUCN Status

Water Type

saltwater, freshwater, mixed

Fishing Spots

Overview

The Columbia River redband trout, the inland redband trout or the interior redband trout is one of three redband trout subspecies of the rainbow trout in the family Salmonidae. It is native in the Columbia River and its tributaries in Idaho, Oregon, Washington and Montana. It includes sea-run anadromous forms, which are known as redband steelhead. Also the large Kamloops rainbow trout is included.

Best Baits & Lures

Live Baits

Nightcrawlers
Effective drifted or fished under a bobber.
Salmon eggs
A classic choice, especially during spawning season.
Grasshoppers
Great in late summer when hoppers are abundant.
Mealworms
Can be used on a small jig head.

Artificial Lures

Mepps Aglia #3Spinner
Silver or gold blade works well.
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Blue Fox Vibrax #2Spinner
Silver blade and body are good choices.
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Rapala Original Floater 07Crankbait
Rainbow trout pattern is often effective.
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Woolly Bugger (various colors)Fly
A versatile fly for all conditions.
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Panther Martin SpinnerSpinner
Gold blade with black body.
Buy

Techniques

When fishing lures, vary your retrieval speed to find what triggers strikes; redbands often strike aggressively.

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Where to Find Columbia river redband trout

Oregon, United States12 spots Washington, United States6 spots Idaho, United States2 spots British Columbia, Canada1 spots Saskatchewan, Canada1 spots Ontario, Canada1 spots Nevada, United States1 spots

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best bait for Columbia river redband trout?+

Popular baits for Columbia river redband trout include Nightcrawlers, Salmon eggs, Grasshoppers, Mealworms, Mepps Aglia #3. Tip: When fishing lures, vary your retrieval speed to find what triggers strikes; redbands often strike aggressively.

Where can I catch Columbia river redband trout?+

Columbia river redband trout can be found in many locations worldwide. Top regions include Oregon, United States; Washington, United States; Idaho, United States. WikiCatch lists 25 fishing spots where this species is found.

How big do Columbia river redband trout get?+

Columbia river redband trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri) can reach up to 120 cm in length and 25 kg in weight. Their IUCN conservation status is NE.

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