Freshwater · North Coast
Trout - Rainbow
These notes are district-general defaults. Search your lake or stream first — special waters override these rules. Full booklet: 2026 Freshwater Guide. Catch reports: Fish data.
Species group
TROUT
Season
District general (CCR §7.00(a)) — trout / steelhead / salmon context: 1) Anadromous waters of the Klamath & Trinity systems, and those entering the ocean south of Humboldt Bay, not listed in Special Regulations: CLOSED to all fishing all year. 2) Anadromous waters tributary to Humboldt Bay and north of Humboldt Bay (except Klamath/Trinity systems and named Special Regulations waters): Fourth Saturday in May through Oct. 31. Lakes & reservoirs (unless named in Special Regulations): generally open all year under statewide inland trout rules — verify in the freshwater guide. IMPORTANT: If your lake, river, or stream is named in the Alphabetical List of Waters with Special Fishing Regulations (2026 Freshwater Sport Fishing Guide), those special rules override this district default.
Season notes
Hatchery trout/steelhead = healed adipose fin clip (adipose absent). Unless otherwise provided, wild trout/steelhead must be released immediately.
Daily bag limit
Anadromous waters open under §7.00(a)(2): 2 hatchery trout or hatchery steelhead per day; 4 in possession. Closed to the take of salmon unless a Special Regulation says otherwise. Typical lakes/reservoirs (if not listed specially): 5 trout per day / 10 in possession — confirm statewide §5.85 and any special water listing. IMPORTANT: If your lake, river, or stream is named in the Alphabetical List of Waters with Special Fishing Regulations (2026 Freshwater Sport Fishing Guide), those special rules override this district default.
Minimum size
See district / special-water rules. Cutthroat and other species may have separate size limits on named waters.
Gear restrictions
On §7.00(a)(2) anadromous waters: only artificial lures with barbless hooks. Always check Special Regulations and low-flow closures for named waters.
Identification
Resident freshwater rainbow trout adults average between 1 and 5 lb in riverine environments, while lake dwelling and anadromous forms may reach 20 lb. Coloration varies widely between regions and subspecies. Adult freshwater forms are generally blueish green or olive green with heavy black spotting over the length of the body. Adult fish have a broad reddish stripe along the lateral line, from gills to the tail, which is most pronounced in breeding males. The caudal fin is squarish and only mildly forked. Lake dwelling and anadromous forms are usually more silvery in color with the reddish stripe almost completely gone. Juvenile rainbow trout display parr marks with dark vertical bars typical of most salmonid juveniles. In some redband and golden trout forms parr marks are typically retained into adulthood.