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Trout - Brown

Freshwater · Southern

Trout - Brown

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(f)): All anadromous waters except those listed by name in Special Regulations: CLOSED to all fishing all year. Many Southern District streams/lakes have separate Special Regulation entries — look up the water by name. Lakes & reservoirs (unless named in Special Regulations): generally open all year for inland trout under statewide 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 under district default: no fishing / no take. Typical lakes/reservoirs (if not listed specially): 5 trout per day / 10 in possession — confirm statewide and special listings. 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; some Southern waters are artificial-lure / reduced-bag only.

Gear restrictions

Closed anadromous default. Open waters: follow Special Regulations and statewide gear/bait rules (Southern District bait restrictions also apply).

Identification

The brown trout is a medium-sized fish, growing to 20 kg (44 lb) or more and a length of about 100 cm (39 in) in some localities, although in many smaller rivers, a mature weight of 1.0 kg (2.2 lb) or less is common. S. t. lacustris reaches an average length of 40–80 cm (16–31 in) with a maximum length of 140 cm (55 in) and about 60 pounds