Body Type: A robust, large-headed char with a rounded, blunt snout. The body is olive-green to dark gray with pale yellow, orange, and red spots on the sides — no dark spots or halos. The lower fins have the white and black edging characteristic of char. Bull Trout are often confused with Brook Trout but lack the vermiculations (worm-like markings) on the back.
Preferred Water Temperature: 45°F–55°F. Among the most cold-dependent salmonids in North America. Require clean, cold water with temperatures that rarely exceed 55°F. Their presence indicates excellent water quality and cold water connectivity.
Habitat: Cold, clear mountain streams and deep glacial lakes in the Pacific Northwest and Northern Rocky Mountains. Require unobstructed migration corridors between spawning tributaries and rearing habitat. Found in the Columbia River drainage, Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia. Federally listed as a threatened species — special regulations apply.
Best Lures: Large streamers on a fly rod are the classic approach — large Woolly Buggers, Muddler Minnows, and sculpin imitations. Large spoons produce in deep lakes. Large inline spinners work in rivers. Live and cut bait rigs produce big fish where legal.
Best Baits: Large live minnows are excellent where regulations allow. Nightcrawlers produce in streams. Sucker meat works well in some fisheries. Always check local regulations — Bull Trout have strict catch-and-release requirements in most waters.
Size & Weight: Stream fish typically 12–20 inches. Lake-dwelling fish reach 10–20 lbs. World record: 32 lbs from Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho.
Top 5 Places to Catch Bull Trout:
1. Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho — world record water with trophy fish
2. Flathead Lake, Montana — excellent lake-dwelling Bull Trout
3. Clark Fork River, Montana — good river access
4. South Fork Flathead River, Montana — wild and remote
5. Kootenai River, Idaho/Montana — strong population with good access
A robust, large-headed char with a rounded, blunt snout. The body is olive-green to dark gray with pale yellow, orange, and red spots on the sides — no dark spots or halos. The lower fins have the white and black edging characteristic of char. Bull Trout are often confused with Brook Trout but lack the vermiculations (worm-like markings) on the back.
Habitat
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Cold, clear mountain streams and deep glacial lakes in the Pacific Northwest and Northern Rocky Mountains. Require unobstructed migration corridors between spawning tributaries and rearing habitat. Found in the Columbia River drainage, Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia. Federally listed as a threatened species — special regulations apply.
Water Conditions
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45°F–55°F. Among the most cold-dependent salmonids in North America. Require clean, cold water with temperatures that rarely exceed 55°F. Their presence indicates excellent water quality and cold water connectivity.
Tackle & Bait
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Best Lures:
Large streamers on a fly rod are the classic approach — large Woolly Buggers, Muddler Minnows, and sculpin imitations. Large spoons produce in deep lakes. Large inline spinners work in rivers. Live and cut bait rigs produce big fish where legal.
Best Baits:
Large live minnows are excellent where regulations allow. Nightcrawlers produce in streams. Sucker meat works well in some fisheries. Always check local regulations — Bull Trout have strict catch-and-release requirements in most waters.
Top Fishing Locations
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Filter by State:
60 fishing locations where you can catch Bull Trout
Skykomish River
🏞️ Freshwater
Gold Bar
Sprague River- North Fork
🏞️ Freshwater
Walla Walla River
🏞️ Freshwater
Watson Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Prescott, AZ
Alturas Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Custer, ID
Arrowrock Reservoir
🏞️ Freshwater
Boise, ID
Boise River Middle Fork
🏞️ Freshwater
Boise, ID
Boise River North Fork
🏞️ Freshwater
Boise, ID
Deadwood Reservoir
🏞️ Freshwater
McCall, ID
Dworshak Reservoir
🏞️ Freshwater
Orofino, ID
Indian Creek
🏞️ Freshwater
McCall, ID
Lake Pend Oreille
🏞️ Freshwater
Sandpoint, ID
Little Smokey Creek
🏞️ Freshwater
Hailey, ID
Lochsa River
🏞️ Freshwater
Lewiston, ID
Pahsimeroi River
🏞️ Freshwater
Idaho Falls, ID
Rapid River
🏞️ Freshwater
McCall, ID
Red River
🏞️ Freshwater
Lewiston, ID
Redfish Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Hailey, ID
Redfish Lake Creek
🏞️ Freshwater
Hailey, ID
Selway River
🏞️ Freshwater
Lewiston, ID
South Fork Clearwater River
🏞️ Freshwater
Grangeville, ID
South Fork Payette River
🏞️ Freshwater
Garden Valley, ID
Warm Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
McCall, ID
Yankee Fork
🏞️ Freshwater
Boise, ID
Yellow Belly Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Hailey, ID
Clearwater River
🏞️ Freshwater
Idaho
Glen Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Tobacco, Montana
Holland Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Condon, Montana
Hungry Horse Reservoir
🏞️ Freshwater
Helena Flats, Montana
Lake Alva
🏞️ Freshwater
Missoula County, Montana
Lake Inez
🏞️ Freshwater
Condon, Montana
Lindbergh Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Condon, Montana
Little Therriault Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Lincoln County, Montana
Placid Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Seeley Lake, Montana
Rainy Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Seeley Lake, Montana
Salmon Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Seeley Lake, Montana
Seeley Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Seeley Lake, Montana
Sophie Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Indian Springs, Montana
Jarbidge River - West Fork
🏞️ Freshwater
Elko, NV
Beulah Reservoir
🏞️ Freshwater
Beulah, OR
Crooked River
🏞️ Freshwater
Prineville, OR
Deming Creek
🏞️ Freshwater
Bly, OR
Grande Ronde River
🏞️ Freshwater
Colville, OR
Hills Creek Reservoir
🏞️ Freshwater
Oakridge, OR
Lake Billy Chinook
🏞️ Freshwater
Culvar, OR
Lake Tumtustus
🏞️ Freshwater
Madras, OR
Laurance Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Parkdale, OR
Malheur River
🏞️ Freshwater
Vale, OR
Metolius River
🏞️ Freshwater
Metolius Springs, OR
North Fork Malheur River
🏞️ Freshwater
Prairie City, OR
North Fork Reservoir
🏞️ Freshwater
Estacada, OR
Odell Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Crescent Lake, OR
Sprague River- South Fork
🏞️ Freshwater
OR
Sun Creek
🏞️ Freshwater
Klamath Falls, OR
Sycan River
🏞️ Freshwater
Summer Lake, OR
Walla Walla Forest Ponds
🏞️ Freshwater
Baker City, OR
Wallowa Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Joseph, OR
Wood River
🏞️ Freshwater
Klamath Falls, OR
Spirit Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Manila, UT
Baker Lake (Whatcom)
🏞️ Freshwater
Concrete, WA
From the Angler's Guide
1. Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho — world record water with trophy fish
2. Flathead Lake, Montana — excellent lake-dwelling Bull Trout
3. Clark Fork River, Montana — good river access
4. South Fork Flathead River, Montana — wild and remote
5. Kootenai River, Idaho/Montana — strong population with good access
Size & Sport
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Stream fish typically 12–20 inches. Lake-dwelling fish reach 10–20 lbs. World record: 32 lbs from Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho.
State & Agency Records
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4 official records on file for Bull Trout
🥇
32 lbs. 0 oz.
Nelson Higgins
Pend Orielle Lake, Sandpoint, IdahoJan 1, 1949Freshwater AnglingIDFG
#2
23 lbs. 2 oz.
Don Yow
Lake Billy Chinook, Culvar, ORJan 1, 1989Freshwater AnglingODFW
#3
9 lbs. 11 oz.
James McCloud
Lake McCloud, CAMay 1, 1968Freshwater AnglingCDFW
#4
4 lbs. 6 oz.
L: 22.0"
Rex Shelburne
Jarbidge River - West Fork, Elko, NVJul 9, 1985Freshwater AnglingNDOW