Body Type: A sterile hybrid between Brown Trout (female) and Brook Trout (male) with a stunning and unique appearance — the body displays a distinctive marbled, tiger-stripe pattern of dark brown and gold markings that resembles neither parent species. The belly is orange-yellow and the fins show the Brook Trout's white-and-black edging.
Preferred Water Temperature: 48°F–62°F. Inherits the cold-water preference of both parent species. Falls between Brook and Brown Trout in temperature tolerance.
Habitat: Exclusively produced in hatcheries — Tiger Trout are sterile and cannot reproduce naturally. Stocked into cold lakes, reservoirs, and streams in numerous Western and Eastern states as trophy sport fish. They are aggressive, fast-growing, and ideally suited for waters with high forage fish populations since they prey heavily on other fish.
Best Lures: Large minnow-imitating lures are the top choice — jointed Rapalas, large swimbaits, and stick baits work well. Inline spinners produce consistent action. Large spoons in gold or silver are effective in lakes. Fly fishing with large streamers — Muddler Minnow, Zonker — produces trophy fish.
Best Baits: Live minnows are the premier bait — Tiger Trout are highly piscivorous. Nightcrawlers produce consistent action. Sucker meat and cut bait attract large fish. Crawfish tails are excellent. Shiners and small perch work very well.
Size & Weight: Grow significantly faster than either parent — commonly reach 18–24 inches and 3–6 lbs. Trophy Tiger Trout reach 10+ lbs. The fast growth rate makes them exceptional sport fish in put-and-take programs.
Top 5 Places to Catch Tiger Trout:
1. Strawberry Reservoir, Utah — excellent Tiger Trout program
2. Fish Lake, Utah — consistent trophy fish
3. Bear Lake, Utah/Idaho — outstanding results with hatchery program
4. Rocky Mountain lakes, Colorado — various CDOW stocked waters
5. Washington State lakes — WDFW stocks numerous productive waters
A sterile hybrid between Brown Trout (female) and Brook Trout (male) with a stunning and unique appearance — the body displays a distinctive marbled, tiger-stripe pattern of dark brown and gold markings that resembles neither parent species. The belly is orange-yellow and the fins show the Brook Trout's white-and-black edging.
Habitat
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Exclusively produced in hatcheries — Tiger Trout are sterile and cannot reproduce naturally. Stocked into cold lakes, reservoirs, and streams in numerous Western and Eastern states as trophy sport fish. They are aggressive, fast-growing, and ideally suited for waters with high forage fish populations since they prey heavily on other fish.
Water Conditions
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48°F–62°F. Inherits the cold-water preference of both parent species. Falls between Brook and Brown Trout in temperature tolerance.
Tackle & Bait
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Best Lures:
Large minnow-imitating lures are the top choice — jointed Rapalas, large swimbaits, and stick baits work well. Inline spinners produce consistent action. Large spoons in gold or silver are effective in lakes. Fly fishing with large streamers — Muddler Minnow, Zonker — produces trophy fish.
Best Baits:
Live minnows are the premier bait — Tiger Trout are highly piscivorous. Nightcrawlers produce consistent action. Sucker meat and cut bait attract large fish. Crawfish tails are excellent. Shiners and small perch work very well.
Top Fishing Locations
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Filter by State:
60 fishing locations where you can catch Tiger Trout
Moosehorn Lake Z-4
🏞️ Freshwater
UT
Watson Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Prescott, AZ
Woods Canyon Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Payson, AZ
Owens River - Lower
🏞️ Freshwater
Bishop, CA
Deer Creek Reservoir
🏞️ Freshwater
Orofino, ID
Montpelier Reservoir
🏞️ Freshwater
Geneva, Idaho
Nez Perce Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Leadore, Idaho
Bair Reservoir
🏞️ Freshwater
Checkerboard, Montana
Companion Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Park County, Montana
Corner Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Park County, Montana
Crater Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Flathead County, Montana
Hansen Reservoir
🏞️ Freshwater
Fergus County, Montana
Kingsbury Pond
🏞️ Freshwater
Fergus County, Montana
Leningtons Reservoir
🏞️ Freshwater
Chouteau County, Montana
Lily Pad Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Stillwater County, Montana
Upper Sureshot Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Madison County, Montana
Angel Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Wells, NV
Blue Lakes
🏞️ Freshwater
Denio, NV
Cold Creek Reservoir
🏞️ Freshwater
Eureka, NV
Cold Springs Reservoir
🌊 Saltwater
Lund, NV
Comins Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Ely, NV
Desert Creek
🏞️ Freshwater
Wellington, NV
Dorsey Reservoir
🏞️ Freshwater
Elko, NV
Eagle Valley Reservoir
🏞️ Freshwater
Pioche, NV
Hobart Reservoir
🏞️ Freshwater
Washoe County, NV
James Kinney Pond
🏞️ Freshwater
Winnemucca, NV
Knott Creek Reservoir
🏞️ Freshwater
Denio, NV
Lamoille Creek
🏞️ Freshwater
Elko, NV
Marlette Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Washoe County, NV
Mason Valley Wildlife Management Area
🏞️ Freshwater
Yerington, NV
Onion Valley Reservoir
🏞️ Freshwater
Denio, NV
Rose Creek
🏞️ Freshwater
Hawthorne, NV
Ruby Lake NWR
🏞️ Freshwater
Elko, NV
Silver Creek Reservoir
🏞️ Freshwater
Baker, NV
South Fork Reservoir
🏞️ Freshwater
Elko, NV
Sparks Marina Park Pond
🏞️ Freshwater
Sparks, NV
Spooner Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Glenbrook, NV
Tabor Creek
🏞️ Freshwater
Elko, NV
Topaz Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Gardnerville, NV
Wild Horse Reservoir
🏞️ Freshwater
Owyhee, NV
Diamond Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Diamond Lake, OR
Fish Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Lakecreek, OR
Aberdunk Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Burrville, UT
Anderson Meadow Reservoir
🏞️ Freshwater
Beaver, UT
Aspen Mirror Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Duck Creek Village, UT
Barker Reservoir
🏞️ Freshwater
Escalante, UT
Bartholomew Park Pond
🏞️ Freshwater
Springville, UT
Bastian Reservoir
🏞️ Freshwater
Escalante, UT
Birch Creek Reservoir
🏞️ Freshwater
Woodruff, UT
Blanding Reservoir
🏞️ Freshwater
Blanding, UT
Blue Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Mayfield, UT
Bobs Hole
🏞️ Freshwater
Teasdale, UT
Boulder Mountain Lakes
🏞️ Freshwater
Boulder, UT
Brian Head Pond
🏞️ Freshwater
Brian Head, UT
Browne Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Daggett County, UT
Burraston Ponds
🏞️ Freshwater
Mona, UT
Butterfly Lake Z-1
🏞️ Freshwater
Duchesne, UT
Calder Reservoir
🏞️ Freshwater
Vernal, UT
Causey Reservoir
🏞️ Freshwater
Ogden, UT
Cook Lake BT
🏞️ Freshwater
Loa, UT
From the Angler's Guide
1. Strawberry Reservoir, Utah — excellent Tiger Trout program
2. Fish Lake, Utah — consistent trophy fish
3. Bear Lake, Utah/Idaho — outstanding results with hatchery program
4. Rocky Mountain lakes, Colorado — various CDOW stocked waters
5. Washington State lakes — WDFW stocks numerous productive waters
Size & Sport
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Grow significantly faster than either parent — commonly reach 18–24 inches and 3–6 lbs. Trophy Tiger Trout reach 10+ lbs. The fast growth rate makes them exceptional sport fish in put-and-take programs.
State & Agency Records
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4 official records on file for Tiger Trout
🥇
20 lbs. 4 oz.
L: 34.0"
Eric McBride
Ruby Lake NWR, Elko, NVMay 28, 2022Freshwater AnglingNDOW