Freshwater · Sierra
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(b)): 1) All rivers and associated tributaries above Lake Shasta: closed to the take of salmon. 2) Anadromous waters of Tehama and Shasta counties not listed in Special Regulations: Last Saturday in Apr. through Nov. 15; artificial lures with barbless hooks; closed to salmon. Many Sierra lakes/streams use seasonal openings (often Sat. preceding Memorial Day through Sep. 30 or similar) when listed in Special Regulations §7.50 — look up your water. Unlisted lakes/reservoirs: generally follow statewide inland trout seasons/bags — verify in the 2026 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
§7.00(b)(2) anadromous waters: 2 hatchery trout or hatchery steelhead per day; 4 in possession. Many Sierra special waters: 5 trout (or 0 trout / artificial only) — the alphabetical list controls. 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 east-side waters have minimum length rules.
Gear restrictions
§7.00(b)(2): artificial lures with barbless hooks. Special waters often require artificial lures / barbless hooks — check the listing. Sierra/North Coast bait-fish restrictions may also apply.
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.