Species
Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
Tier 2Eating8/10ultralight tackleNSWVICSAWATASACT
54 waypoints25–45 cm (max 90 cm) typical
Regulations
NSWbag 5VICbag 5TAS22 cm min · bag 12
| State | Size | Bag |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | — | 5 |
Closed: Closed season Jun long weekend - Oct long weekend on most trout streams | ||
| VIC | — | 5 |
| TAS | 22 cm min | 12 |
Regulations change. Always verify with the relevant state fisheries authority before fishing.
Overview: about rainbow trout
Introduced North American trout stocked widely across cool waters in TAS, VIC, NSW, ACT and parts of SA and WA. Targeted with flies, lures and bait in rivers and impoundments — leapy fighters that punch above their weight. Freshwater licence required in most states.
Biology: Rainbow Trout size, diet & habitat
- Habitat
- Freshwater, Impoundment, Lake, River
- Typical size
- 25–45 cm (max 90 cm)
- Weight
- 0.4–2 kg (max 10 kg)
- Depth range
- 0–30 m
- Diet
- insects, mudeye, small fish, eggs
- Most active
- crepuscular
- Global range
- Native to NW North America; introduced widely in AU
How to target: Rainbow Trout angling strategies
Generally fished with ultralight tackle — match gear to the conditions and the size of fish you expect.
- tassie devils and bibbed minnows trolled along impoundment edges
- PowerBait on a paternoster from the bank in stocked lakes
- small spinners (size 1-2 Mepps) cast across alpine streams
- dry flies (royal wulff, elk hair caddis) over evening rises
- small soft plastics and woolly buggers on intermediate fly lines
Best season: when to catch rainbow trout in Australia
- NSW
- Oct-Jun (Snowy Mountains, Monaro)
- VIC
- Sep-May (high country)
- TAS
- Sep-Apr
Seasons shift with water temperature and local conditions, so check recent reports before a trip.
Conservation
IUCN: Least Concern
Introduced. Inland fishing licence required in NSW/VIC/TAS/SA/WA.
Recent community catches: anglers who caught rainbow trout
No rainbow trout catches logged yet. Log one and you'll be recognised here.
Where to catch: rainbow trout fishing spots in Australia
New South Wales18
- Ben Chifley DamDam · NSW-33.55°
- Eucumbene RiverRiver · NSW-36.15°
- Geehi RiverRiver · NSW-36.32°
- Goodradigbee RiverRiver · NSW-35.35°
- Khancoban PondageDam · NSW-36.22°
- Lake EucumbeneDam · NSW-36.05°
- Lake LyellDam · NSW-33.48°
- Lake WallaceDam · NSW-33.42°
- Murrumbidgee River at TantangaraRiver · NSW-35.80°
- Oberon DamDam · NSW-33.72°
- Pejar DamDam · NSW-34.58°
- Talbingo ReservoirDam · NSW-35.65°
- Tantangara ReservoirDam · NSW-35.79°
- Thredbo RiverRiver · NSW-36.49°
- Three Mile DamDam · NSW-35.93°
- Tooma RiverRiver · NSW-36.08°
- Tumut River below BloweringRiver · NSW-35.30°
- Yarrangobilly RiverRiver · NSW-35.70°
Tasmania16
- Bradys LakeDam · TAS-42.15°
- Dee LagoonDam · TAS-42.27°
- Great LakeLagoon · TAS-41.88°
- Lake BurburyDam · TAS-42.07°
- Lake EchoDam · TAS-42.19°
- Lake FentonDam · TAS-42.68°
- Lake King WilliamDam · TAS-42.12°
- Lake LeakeDam · TAS-42.01°
- Lake MackenzieDam · TAS-41.65°
- Lake PedderLagoon · TAS-42.93°
- Lake St ClairDam · TAS-42.10°
- Meander RiverRiver · TAS-41.69°
- Talbots LagoonDam · TAS-41.31°
- Tooms LakeDam · TAS-42.16°
- Tungatinah LagoonDam · TAS-42.07°
- Tyenna RiverRiver · TAS-42.69°
Victoria14
- Acheron RiverRiver · VIC-37.48°
- Goulburn Tailwater EildonRiver · VIC-37.24°
- Hepburn LagoonLagoon · VIC-37.31°
- Lake Bullen MerriDam · VIC-38.26°
- Lake DartmouthDam · VIC-36.55°
- Lake DaylesfordDam · VIC-37.35°
- Lake PurrumbeteDam · VIC-38.29°
- Lake ToolondoDam · VIC-36.97°
- Lake WartookDam · VIC-37.10°
- Lake WendoureeDam · VIC-37.55°
- Lauriston ReservoirDam · VIC-37.27°
- Mitta Mitta Below DartmouthRiver · VIC-36.70°
- Pykes Creek ReservoirDam · VIC-37.68°
- Tullaroop ReservoirDam · VIC-37.09°
More information: rainbow trout references & sources
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