Biggest Trout in the Lower 48

[O'Connor]

Morning guys,
I am not an avid freshwater angler, but when I do wash the salt off I tend to look for areas which offer opportunities at record size trout. In my part time experience I have fished three areas which I feel present the best chance to catch a two handed trout outside of a dfg put and take program. If anyone has any additional thoughts I would love to hear them. These are in no particular order.

1.) Forks, Washington area- Sol Duc, Calawah and Hoh Rivers. Giant Steelhead fresh from the Pacific Ocean. Breathtaking scenery and Natural/Wild Steelhead. Fished three days out of here and caught six fish in the mid to high teens, along with nice spread of smaller steelhead and a few cut throat. Saw a real monster taken by another guide and his client. Taped out @ 45 inches and weighed 26-28 lbs. There is a 30 lb caught up there every year. Unbelievable experience. I fished with Bob @ piscatorial pursuits.

2.) Pulaski-Rochester tribs of Lake Ontario- Awesome Steelhead and Brown trout fishing in November. Every trickle that runs ingot the lake holds fish as long as there is flow. Best chance for a monster within driving distance of NJ. Last couple times I went there it was extremely crowded in many of the tribs. No Guide Needed.


3.) Milwaukee Harbor< Milwaukee, Wi -Sounds crazy, but I was in Milwaukee on business last winter and I had some down time so I booked a local guide for brown trout and steelhead. We were fishing in the shadows of the financial district and catching huge rainbows and brown trout. If you want a shot at a world record sized brown give this area a try. If you need ambience while fishing this is not the trip for you. If you want a 20 lb brown it is. Guy I fished with was a real good egg and new his stuff. Check out eric haataja on fb or google big fish guide service. One cast you hook a sock floating in Lake Michigan the next a 15 lb brown.

[Cshadis92]

Thanks for posting this. I have really been considering (mostly daydreaming.) about taking a trip up north for the bigger browns, rainbows, and steelhead. Some thoughts holding me back have been: cost, time from work, and finer details such as time of year to target the fish for a successful trip, where exactly to fish, money, etc. it all feels a little overwhelming, since in Jersey, trout streams are all relatively close by for most of us, and it is not a big gamble if we drive an hour or so and have a rough day fishing. What would you recommend doing to make these trophy trout trips a little easier on the anxiety scale?? Sounds like you've definitely hit some awesome waters.

[Chrisper4694]

my wife's uncle guides for steelhead in the upstate ny and vermont area... makes me wonder why i still haven't done it...

[O'Connor]

Originally Posted by Cshadis92

Thanks for posting this. I have really been considering (mostly daydreaming.) about taking a trip up north for the bigger browns, rainbows, and steelhead. Some thoughts holding me back have been: cost, time from work, and finer details such as time of year to target the fish for a successful trip, where exactly to fish, money, etc. it all feels a little overwhelming, since in Jersey, trout streams are all relatively close by for most of us, and it is not a big gamble if we drive an hour or so and have a rough day fishing. What would you recommend doing to make these trophy trout trips a little easier on the anxiety scale?? Sounds like you've definitely hit some awesome waters.

No matter what type of fishing you choose to do in most cases the two more important variables are time and money.

Financial advice is simple. If you have to think too hard on your decision you can not afford it. Now, it is impossible to put a price tag on happiness, but I follow an overall formula for vacations that has not failed me. Budget 5% of your annual income for vacation expenses. If you make $50,000 a year a $2500 vacation will not break the bank assuming you are responsible in other areas, are able to save for the future and do not have a large number of dependents.

Time- If you are young and single, have no children or disposable income etc time is your ally. for those of us who have kids and a family that needs us you can not run around fishing on multiple day trips often so budgeting time is extremely important. Family, work, fishing.....


If you have anxiety about fishing half the fun will be stripped from the trip before you make your first cast. You need to go up guilt free in order to enjoy yourself. From NJ you can make the trip to Lake Ontario tribs in 4-5 hours driving. Hotels are extremely cheap and if you bring a buddy you can split a room that will be under $100 a night. Some sub $2 gas out there as well right now so transportation cost is easily controlled. If you fish the tribs around lake ontario and are familiar with trout fishing the transition will be easy. Steelhead are trout and act no different then a 12" stocked rainbow that has been in a local stream a month. You will need new tackle to handle them, but bouncing a store bought egg sack along the bottom will work. same deal as any trout stream fish edges. If I had to pick the best month up there for trout I would take November. Spring is good for dropback steelhead and there are less crowds.


I am sure there are much better trout anglers on this board then me that can help out with some of the particulars. Good Luck.

[Andrushkin33]

Originally Posted by Cshadis92

Thanks for posting this. I have really been considering (mostly daydreaming.) about taking a trip up north for the bigger browns, rainbows, and steelhead. Some thoughts holding me back have been: cost, time from work, and finer details such as time of year to target the fish for a successful trip, where exactly to fish, money, etc. it all feels a little overwhelming, since in Jersey, trout streams are all relatively close by for most of us, and it is not a big gamble if we drive an hour or so and have a rough day fishing. What would you recommend doing to make these trophy trout trips a little easier on the anxiety scale?? Sounds like you've definitely hit some awesome waters.

I can only comment on the upstate NY. Fished Salmon River /Pulaski and Burt Dam/Olcott.

I guess easiest way to go about it is pick a day and just do it. Pulaski should be about a 4 hour drive and Olcott is about 7 hours. Best bet to go with a group this way you can at least spread the cost around. Hotel prices are varied depending on the season. Expect them to rise in September-October like crazy and if you want to go those months I suggest you book in advance. Way in advance. Usually $150 was enough for me for two days with a group of 3 others and half of it went straight to liquor.

As far as spots go you can always asks the locals. Most of the time they will put you on the right path as well as with bait suggestions.

Make sure you are familiar with local laws especially when it comes to fish limit and your rig. Salmon River is heavily patrolled by rangers at all times but as long as all the laws are followed they will not bother you and can be actually quiet helpful.

I found Burt Dam easy to fish then compared to salmon river. Both places will produce some nice crome and trout. That being said I caught more crome at Salmon and more Trout at Burt Dam.

As far as time to go well you can still go now or wait till spring and autumn.

Good luck and tight lines.

Andre

[bassnblues]

Don't forget about the White and Red rivers in Arkansas. I've never been there but from what I see on TV and magazines they catch some giants. If I'm not mistaken the world record Brown trout was caught there.

I've personally fish the Grey Reef section on the South Platte in Wyoming. It doesn't have the great Lakes size monsters but it's loaded with 18" to 20" Rainbows.

As for cost etc, if you have someone to split expenses with, that helps a lot. Also, try to plan in advance and pay for things one at a time. For example, if your trip is in May, pay 1/2 the guide fee in Jan, pay the motel in Feb, put aside gas and food money in March etc...