Rainbow Trout Stocking

Rainbow Trout

At FML, we specialize in stocking Rainbow Trout that are prized for their vibrant colors, athletic fighting spirit, and remarkable adaptability. When FML stocks these high-performance fish, we provide a dynamic experience for anglers of all skill levels; they are famously surface-active, frequently rising to flies and jumping when hooked. As one of the hardiest species available, our FML-sourced Rainbows are capable of thriving in a wide range of water conditions—from high-altitude mountain streams to managed Great Plains ponds. Because of their widespread availability and natural resilience, Rainbows are an affordable and budget-friendly species to stock, allowing property owners to establish a high-quality, high-action fishery that remains well within a sustainable management budget.

Best Applications for Rainbow Trout

    • Their aggressive feeding habits make them easy to catch and perfect for keeping young anglers engaged. on text goes here

    • A hardy "foundation" species that acclimates quickly to new or recently restored ecosystems.

    • A reliable choice for community waters where high catch rates and resident satisfaction are the priority.

    • Ensures a successful event with active fish that are responsive to a variety of lures and baits.

    • The most efficient way to achieve high-density stocking for larger lakes and properties.

Fast Facts

    • Very surface-active and responsive to feeding.

    • The easiest trout species to catch.  

  • Ideal Temp Ranges from 55°F – 65°F.

  • Can grow up to 1 inch per month with supplemental feeding.

  • With access to cool running water or deeper, cooler water in the summer.

Native to the cold-water tributaries of the Pacific Rim in North America and Asia, the Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) is a highly adaptable salmonid that exists in both landlocked and migratory (Steelhead) forms. Though first described by naturalists in 1792, its global history changed forever in the 1870s when the first successful captive spawning occurred at California’s McCloud River. These hardy "McCloud rainbows" proved so resilient that they were soon transported via rail and steamship to every continent except Antarctica. Today, following a 1989 genetic reclassification that moved them from the Salmo (Atlantic) genus to Oncorhynchus (Pacific), they remain the most widely introduced and economically significant game fish in the world.

Rainbow Trout History

To learn more about the biology and habitat of the Oncorhynchus mykiss, visit the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Profile.