Freshwater · North Central
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(c)) — major correction from older app text: 1) All streams except those listed by name in Special Regulations: CLOSED to all fishing all year. 2) Tidewaters of streams except those listed by name in Special Regulations: CLOSED to all fishing all year. Lakes & reservoirs (unless named in Special Regulations): generally open all year — verify in the freshwater guide. Many popular trout/steelhead waters (e.g. Russian River segments) are governed by Special Regulations, not this closed default. 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
Streams / tidewaters under the district default: no take (closed). Typical lakes/reservoirs (if not listed specially): 5 trout per day / 10 in possession — confirm statewide rules and Special Regulations. 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 special-water listing for the water you fish.
Gear restrictions
Closed waters: no fishing. Open special waters: follow gear rules on that listing (often artificial lures / barbless hooks).
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.