Body Type: California's state freshwater fish and arguably the most brilliantly colored trout in the world. The body is deep golden-yellow to orange-gold with a vivid crimson-red lateral band and belly. Oval parr marks remain visible on the sides throughout life. The back is olive-green with dense black spotting on the posterior body and fins. The fins are tipped orange-red. No other trout matches the Golden's spectacular coloring.
Preferred Water Temperature: 45°F–58°F. Among the most temperature-sensitive of all trout — native to high Sierra Nevada streams and lakes above 8,000 feet where water rarely warms above 60°F. Requires pristine, cold, highly oxygenated water year-round.
Habitat: High Sierra Nevada alpine streams and lakes above 8,000 feet in California's Kern River drainage (native range). Widely planted by aerial stocking drops in California, Wyoming, Idaho, and Washington alpine lakes that are unreachable by road. Found in stunning high-altitude wilderness settings among granite peaks and meadows.
Best Lures: Small inline spinners (size 0–1) in gold or yellow are the most effective lure. Tiny gold or brass spoons (1/32–1/16 oz) produce in alpine lakes. Small floating Rapala minnows in gold/silver work in larger pools. Micro jigs in bright orange, yellow, or chartreuse produce in clear water. Dry flies (size 14–18) produce surface strikes in evening and morning.
Best Baits: Small nightcrawlers and red worms are the top bait — use a tiny piece on a size 14 hook. Single salmon eggs work well in flowing water. Wax worms and mealworms are effective in cold conditions. Small PowerBait works for stocked fish in accessible lakes.
Size & Weight: Typical alpine lake fish run 6–12 inches and under 1 lb due to the short growing season and limited food supply. Fish in more productive waters reach 2–3 lbs. World record: 11 lbs 4 oz from Wyoming's Wind River Range. California state record: 9 lbs 8 oz.
Top 5 Places to Catch Golden Trout:
1. Golden Trout Wilderness, California — native habitat requiring a multi-day pack trip
2. Wind River Range, Wyoming — outstanding backcountry stocked lakes at altitude
3. Cottonwood Lakes, California — accessible via trail from Whitney Portal
4. John Muir Wilderness, California — classic Sierra Nevada backpacking fishery
5. Sequoia National Park, California — stunning scenery with productive alpine lakes
California's state freshwater fish and arguably the most brilliantly colored trout in the world. The body is deep golden-yellow to orange-gold with a vivid crimson-red lateral band and belly. Oval parr marks remain visible on the sides throughout life. The back is olive-green with dense black spotting on the posterior body and fins. The fins are tipped orange-red. No other trout matches the Golden's spectacular coloring.
Habitat
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High Sierra Nevada alpine streams and lakes above 8,000 feet in California's Kern River drainage (native range). Widely planted by aerial stocking drops in California, Wyoming, Idaho, and Washington alpine lakes that are unreachable by road. Found in stunning high-altitude wilderness settings among granite peaks and meadows.
Water Conditions
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45°F–58°F. Among the most temperature-sensitive of all trout — native to high Sierra Nevada streams and lakes above 8,000 feet where water rarely warms above 60°F. Requires pristine, cold, highly oxygenated water year-round.
Tackle & Bait
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Best Lures:
Small inline spinners (size 0–1) in gold or yellow are the most effective lure. Tiny gold or brass spoons (1/32–1/16 oz) produce in alpine lakes. Small floating Rapala minnows in gold/silver work in larger pools. Micro jigs in bright orange, yellow, or chartreuse produce in clear water. Dry flies (size 14–18) produce surface strikes in evening and morning.
Best Baits:
Small nightcrawlers and red worms are the top bait — use a tiny piece on a size 14 hook. Single salmon eggs work well in flowing water. Wax worms and mealworms are effective in cold conditions. Small PowerBait works for stocked fish in accessible lakes.
Top Fishing Locations
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Filter by State:
29 fishing locations where you can catch Golden Trout
Watson Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Prescott, AZ
Raymond Lake (Alpine County)
🏞️ Freshwater
Markleeville, CA
San Joaquin River-Middle Fork
🏞️ Freshwater
Mammoth Lakes, CA
Virginia Lake (Fresno)
🏞️ Freshwater
CA
Alpine Creek Lake #11
🏞️ Freshwater
Blaine County, ID
Alpine Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Custer County, ID
China Lake #3
🏞️ Freshwater
Custer County, ID
Forage Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Orofino, ID
Mystery Lake 3
🏞️ Freshwater
Hailey, ID
Parker Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Porthill, ID
Asteroid Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Stillwater County, Montana
Heart Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Missoula County, Montana
Herrig Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Stryker, Montana
Hurley Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Beaverhead County, Montana
Incisor Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Park County, Montana
Island Lake (Missoula County)
🏞️ Freshwater
Missoula County, Montana
Little Scat Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Carbon County, Montana
Martin Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Carbon County, Montana
Olga Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Fortine, Montana
Rock Tree Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Carbon County, Montana
Scat Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Carbon County, Montana
Hidden Lakes
🏞️ Freshwater
Soldier Peak, NV
Maple Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Payson, UT
Marsh Lake
🌊 Saltwater
Evaston, Utah
Gunn Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
WA
Dipper Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Carbon County, Wyoming
Golden Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Carbon County, Wyoming
Scott Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Albany County, Wyoming
Shelf Lakes
🏞️ Freshwater
Albany County, Wyoming
From the Angler's Guide
1. Golden Trout Wilderness, California — native habitat requiring a multi-day pack trip
2. Wind River Range, Wyoming — outstanding backcountry stocked lakes at altitude
3. Cottonwood Lakes, California — accessible via trail from Whitney Portal
4. John Muir Wilderness, California — classic Sierra Nevada backpacking fishery
5. Sequoia National Park, California — stunning scenery with productive alpine lakes
Size & Sport
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Typical alpine lake fish run 6–12 inches and under 1 lb due to the short growing season and limited food supply. Fish in more productive waters reach 2–3 lbs. World record: 11 lbs 4 oz from Wyoming's Wind River Range. California state record: 9 lbs 8 oz.
Whoppers — Biggest Catches
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🥇
5.00 lbs
John Pelster
Dec 12, 2015
State & Agency Records
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7 official records on file for Golden Trout
🥇
11 lbs. 4 oz.
L: 28.0"
C.S. Reed
Cook Lake, Sublette County, WyomingDec 31, 1969Freshwater AnglingWYGF
#2
9 lbs. 8 oz.
O. Venefield Compton
Virginia Lake (Fresno), CAAug 18, 1952Freshwater AnglingCDFW
#3
7 lbs. 10 oz.
Douglas White
Eagle Cap Wilderness, Eagle Cap Wilderness, ORJan 1, 1987Freshwater AnglingODFW
#4
5 lbs. 2 oz.
George Wolverton
White Sand Lake, Lolo Hot Springs, IdahoJan 1, 1958Freshwater AnglingIDFG
#5
4 lbs. 3 oz.
Arthur Jackson
Gunn Lake, WAOct 2, 2020Freshwater AnglingWDFW
#6
1 lbs. 14 oz.
L: 14.9" · G: 7.8"
Isaac Vance
Marsh Lake, Evaston, UtahNov 26, 2024Freshwater Angling