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- Trout fishing in California
Types of Trout in California
Trout fishing spots in California
Best baits and lures for Trout in California
According to catch data from over 20 million anglers on Fishbrain, these are the best baits used to catch Trout.
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Biggest Trout catches
Latest Trout fishing reports in California
Continue browsing catches and catch locations in the Fishbrain app
Regulations for Trout in California
Disclaimer: Always check local fishing regulations, water access rights and land ownership before fishing, regardless of any catches logged in that area by the Fishbrain community. Fishbrain has mapped millions of acres of government-owned land across the USA to help you identify potential fishing access, but you are responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.
Fishing regulations in California can change throughout the year. Make sure to check this page before fishing for the most up to date rules and regulations for the current season. Local regulations govern when you can fish, the max size of the fish you can keep, how many fish you can keep, and more.
Below you will see fishing regulations for catching Rainbow trout as of May 17th, 2026. To view regulations for a different fish species, please click on your preferred species in the drop-down.
Seasons
Bag limit
Trout must voluntarily take the bait or lure in its mouth.
Sea Trout
Regulations for
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From the Fishbrain blog
Learn where to fish, when to fish, and top tips from our anglers to help you land that personal best
Discover why Northern California is your fishing Graceland. The northern Pacific, one of the best bass lakes in the West, the massive delta and more are your tickets to trophy stripers, world class bucket mouths and native rainbow trout.
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FAQ
These species can be found in many coastal waters, lakes throughout the area. If you are targeting a specific species, you can use the to filter catches by species and see where anglers are catching them and which baits they are using.
The allows anglers to see exact catch locations shared by other members, helping you discover productive fishing spots where Trout have recently been caught.