Trout are gorgeous fish that are a favorite target for anglers due to their magnificent appearance and delicious flavor in culinary dishes. Trout are also known for their spawning season, where they become more visible and abundant in shallow waters. But when do trout spawn, and how does that affect your fishing?
Trout spawn during the springtime or fall when the water temperatures are ideal. Typically, the water should be around 44°F (6.67°C) for trout spawning. Spawning makes the fish much easier to catch in the spawning grounds, but this practice is increasingly discouraged.
This article will examine trout spawning, how it impacts the trout population, and how it relates to your fishing habits. Read on to learn more about trout spawning and fishing!
What Is Spawning (and Why Should I Care)?
We have all heard stories about someone visiting a lake or river and seeing trout just inches below the water. While you know this may be unusual behavior, you may not know the cause of it. So, what is spawning, and why should you care?
Trout spawning is when female trout lay eggs on the bottom of a river or stream, where they will be fertilized by the male fish. The spawning process typically takes a few months from beginning to end and can determine the trout population in an area for that given year.
Trout spawning is an essential part of the food chain and a delicate process that can produce impressive results. Let’s look at how trout evolve from the time they spawn to the time they reach full maturity.
Trout Lifecycle
Trouts come in several species that are commonly found in the USA. The most prevalent are rainbow and brown trout. The stages of life for trout include the following:
- The eggs are laid and fertilized.
- After about two months, the eggs will hatch.
- They begin to evolve into what resembles tiny fish called alevins. When they mature, they’re called fry.
- At their first birthday, the trout are now parr and have many characteristics of what we recognize as trout.
- Trout mature into adulthood when they spawn, where they typically live about 4-7 years. However, this can vary significantly depending on the species and environment.
What Age Do Trout Spawn?
Trout typically spawn at 2 to 3 years old. Brown trout are known to spawn as young as one year old, but like rainbow trout, they usually spawn between 2-3 years old. Although this is the most common time frame, the spawning age for trout can vary.
Do Trout Die After Spawning?
Some trout may die after spawning, but many survive the process and continue to partake in future spawning events. The spawning process can take up a lot of their energy and take a toll on their bodies, but with the proper conditions, trout can survive spawning and live for years afterward.
Trout Spawning Seasons
Trout spawning seasons vary depending on the fish. Brown trout usually spawn in the fall and early winter, while rainbow trout spawn in the springtime. The spawning is done when the water temperature is ideal for the trout species to breed and there is ample daylight.
How Long Do Trout Spawn For?
Trout typically spawn for several months. The females prepare the nest (also known as the Redd) and then lay the eggs. Males fertilize the eggs and protect them as they develop, which can take about 1-2 months.
Where Do Trout Go To Spawn?
Trout go to shallow areas with a rocky bed to create their Redds. These areas are often found where the river is being fed by joining streams or rivers with abundant oxygen for the eggs. Both males and females can be found in the area during the spawning season.
Factors That Affect Rainbow Trout Spawning
Rainbow trout are one of the most famous fish to catch, and they are gorgeous during the spawning season. They are also particularly vulnerable to environmental influences at this time, and the process can be volatile. So, what are some factors that affect rainbow trout spawning?
- Unusual weather events like storms disrupt the surface.
- Unseasonable temperatures are harmful to spawning conditions.
- Human or animal disruption to the spawning grounds can impact spawning.
How Do Stocked Trout Spawn?
Stocked trout spawn much like wild trout if they are in the right environment. If they are in rivers or streams, they tend to spawn much more effectively and can reproduce as much as a wild trout would.
Stocked trout aren’t the same as wild trout and may not live as long once released. Their genetic makeup can prevent them from spawning in the wild unless they get to more ideal conditions.
Ethics of Fishing for Spawning Trout
The problem with actively fishing for spawning trout is that you essentially go after “sitting ducks.” All of the trouts’ energy goes towards protecting their potential offspring, which makes them more vulnerable to anglers. They are exhausted from their long journey to the spawning area and focus solely on protecting the eggs.
The ethical issue with fishing for spawning trout isn’t just about catching easy targets. It is also about traffic in the spawning area. The more people who walk around the Redds or trout spawning areas, the more damage is done to the eggs. This disruption is why even if it is not illegal where you live, many people consider it immoral to fish in spawning grounds.
Fishing During a Trout Spawn
Fishing during trout spawning is tempting for many anglers because of their brilliant red colors and the ease with which you can fish for them in certain areas. However, more anglers are becoming aware of the impact they may have on the trout population, and there is more conversation about the ethics of fishing for them.
But just because a trout spawn is happening doesn’t mean you can’t fish at all. There are a few things to keep in mind about safely and ethically fishing during a trout spawn:
- Stay away from the Redds. More and more people are trying to get information on how to fish safely during spawning. Mind the Redd offers advice on what to look for to help avoid redds during spawning season.
- Fish in deeper waters. Sticking to deeper waters is a good rule of thumb because it will help you avoid the Redds. Additionally, you won’t be targeting fish outside of their typical environment.
- You can fish in areas that aren’t near the Redds. Just because trout are spawning doesn’t mean you can’t fish at all. Instead, you should stick to areas that are far away from the Redds. Many people have great luck catching the trout species that aren’t spawning during the other species’ spawning seasons, as they tend to go after other species’ eggs.
Conclusion
Knowing a lot more about trout spawning can help influence your decision on where and when you fish. If you want future generations of outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy the rivers and streams that you fish in, you should avoid active spawning grounds during spawning seasons to protect trout numbers.
