The 10 Best Baits for Catching Trout

Trout fishing isn’t just a pastime—it’s an obsession. There’s something about wading into a cold stream at dawn, the mist rising off the water, that makes you forget about everything else. It’s not just about catching fish; it’s about matching wits with one of the most finicky and elusive creatures in freshwater. Some days, trout seem to hit anything you throw at them. Other days, you could swear they’re laughing at you from the depths.

That’s where bait selection comes in. You can’t force a trout to bite, but you can stack the odds in your favor with the right bait at the right time. Whether you’re fishing for wild brook trout in a remote mountain stream, targeting hefty rainbows in a stocked pond, or hoping for a trophy brown in a deep, slow-moving river, the right bait makes all the difference.

Over the years, anglers have come up with countless trout baits—some brilliant, some downright ridiculous (yes, cheese is on this list). But the fact is, trout can be picky eaters. Understanding what they want, when they want it, and how to present it properly is key.

This guide breaks down the 10 best trout baits available today—baits that have consistently proven their worth in streams, lakes, and rivers across the country. We’ll cover classic options like worms and salmon eggs, high-tech options like scented dough and soft plastics, and even a few unconventional choices that might surprise you.

For each bait, we’ll go over how to use it, when to use it, and the pros and cons. Whether you’re a seasoned fly-fishing purist looking to experiment or a weekend angler who just wants to put fish on the stringer, this list has something for you.

Here’s a list of the 10 best trout baits from brands you’ve actually heard of—because nobody wants to waste time on gimmicks – click the orange to see why it was chosen or to learn when and how to best use, click the green to shop.

Berkley PowerBait Trout Dough

When to Use: Best for stocked trout in still waters like ponds and lakes. PowerBait works great when trout are hanging out near the bottom, especially in cooler months when they’re not as active near the surface. Roll it into a small ball, toss it out, and wait for a lazy trout to take the bait.

Best Way to Use: Mold a small amount onto a treble hook, making sure it covers the entire hook. Use a sliding sinker rig to let it float just off the bottom where trout are cruising for food.

✅ Pros: Easy to use, long shelf life, highly effective for stocked trout.
❌ Cons: Less effective for wild trout, can be messy to handle.

Berkley Gulp! Floating Trout Worms

When to Use: These are perfect for fishing in streams or rivers where trout are actively hunting for insects and worms. Rig them weightless and let them drift naturally with the current, or use them under a float for a more controlled presentation.

Best Way to Use: Rig them on a small hook with a split shot weight for a natural drift in moving water. For still water, use them on a jighead and twitch them slightly to mimic a struggling worm.

✅ Pros: Strong scent dispersal, reusable, mimics live bait.

❌ Cons: Can dry out quickly, requires careful storage.

Pautzke Balls O’ Fire Salmon Eggs

When to Use: If you’re fishing a river or stream during the spring or fall, salmon eggs are an excellent choice. Trout naturally key in on eggs during spawning seasons, so they’re an easy meal in moving water.

Best Way to Use: Thread one or two eggs onto a small single hook and drift them naturally with the current. If necessary, add a small split shot to keep them from floating too high in the water column.

✅ Pros: Natural scent, effective in moving water, easy to use.

❌ Cons: Can be fragile, requires refrigeration for freshness.

Uncle Jim’s Nightcrawlers

When to Use: Best for natural presentations in rivers, lakes, or even after a rainstorm when worms get washed into the water. Drift them under a bobber for surface-feeding trout or add a split shot and let them sink for deep-water fish.

Best Way to Use: Hook a nightcrawler through the middle and let it dangle naturally on a size 8 or 10 hook. Fish it weightless in slow-moving water or under a bobber for surface-feeding trout.

✅ Pros: Highly effective, natural movement, available at most bait shops.

❌ Cons: Requires refrigeration, can be difficult to keep on the hook.

Rapala Original Floating Minnow

When to Use: Ideal for aggressive trout in clear water, especially in streams and larger rivers. Use this when you’re targeting bigger fish that are hunting minnows and other baitfish. Works great in the early morning and late evening.

Best Way to Use: Retrieve it slowly with occasional twitches to mimic an injured baitfish. Works best in clear water where trout are actively hunting for minnows.

✅ Pros: Durable, great for large trout, excellent movement in water.

❌ Cons: Requires an active retrieval technique, can be expensive.

Berkley Gulp! Alive! Minnows

When to Use: Perfect for fishing deeper pools and slow-moving water where trout are suspended. These are a great alternative to live bait and work best when fished with a jighead or slow-trolled.

Best Way to Use: Use on a small jighead and bounce it along the bottom, or slowly troll it behind a boat for suspended trout.

✅ Pros: Scent dispersal, reusable, easy to rig.

❌ Cons: Can dry out if not stored properly, more expensive than live bait.

Atlas Mike’s Salmon Eggs

When to Use: Best in fast-moving streams or rivers where trout are used to snatching up drifting eggs. They stay on the hook better than some other brands, making them a solid choice when you need a bait that lasts through multiple casts.

Best Way to Use: Use a single egg on a small hook for pressured trout, or cluster a few eggs together for added scent in faster water.

✅ Pros: Strong scent, effective in rivers and streams, easy to use.

❌ Cons: Can be messy, not as effective in still water.

Thomas Buoyant Spoon

When to Use: Use when trout are feeding aggressively and chasing baitfish. This spoon is great in both lakes and rivers, and it’s an excellent choice for covering a lot of water quickly.

Best Way to Use: Cast and retrieve at varying speeds to imitate an injured baitfish. Works best in lakes and reservoirs where trout chase moving targets.

✅ Pros: Covers a lot of water, effective for larger trout, reusable.

❌ Cons: Requires active retrieval, may snag in rocky areas.

Berkley Trout Nuggets

When to Use: Ideal for stocked trout in ponds and slow-moving waters. These work just like PowerBait but hold up better, making them a great choice when you need something that lasts a little longer on the hook.

Best Way to Use: Rig them on a small treble hook with a sliding sinker rig to keep them suspended off the bottom. Perfect for hatchery trout used to pellet food.

✅ Pros: Easy to use, great scent dispersion, lasts longer in water.

❌ Cons: Less effective on wild trout, can dry out if not sealed properly.

Magic Bait Cheese Dough Bait

When to Use: Best for stocked trout in lakes and ponds, particularly in warmer months when trout are used to artificial scents. The strong cheese smell draws fish in, even when they aren’t actively feeding.

Best Way to Use: Roll into a ball and press firmly onto a treble hook. Use in still water, allowing the scent to spread and attract trout over time.

✅ Pros: Strong scent, easy to mold, effective for stocked trout.

❌ Cons: Can get messy and less appealing to trout.

Don’t Forget about the Old Fashion Way – Live Baits

The Best Live Baits for Trout Fishing:

Using live bait is one of the most effective ways to entice strikes. Trout are opportunistic feeders that rely heavily on their sense of sight and smell, making natural baits an excellent choice. Whether you’re fishing in rivers, streams, or lakes, live bait can often outperform artificial options. Here’s a breakdown of the best live baits for trout and how to use them effectively.

Nightcrawlers and Worms

Nightcrawlers and smaller worms, such as red wigglers, are classic trout baits that work in nearly all fishing conditions. Their natural scent, movement, and texture make them irresistible to trout.

Best Techniques:

Drift Fishing: Hook a worm through the head and allow it to drift naturally with the current.
Bottom Fishing: Use a slip sinker rig to keep the worm near the lakebed, ideal for deeper waters.
Under a Bobber: Suspend a worm at various depths, adjusting to where trout are feeding.

Best Conditions:

Cloudy days and after rainstorms when worms naturally wash into the water.
Slow-moving pools and deep pockets in rivers.

Minnows

Minnows are a top-tier bait for larger trout, especially brown and lake trout, which often feed on small fish. Their lively swimming action mimics natural prey, triggering predatory instincts.

Best Techniques:

Hooking Through the Lips or Dorsal Fin: This allows the minnow to move naturally in the water.
Float Rig: Keeps the minnow swimming at an optimal depth.
Drifting or Trolling: Slowly dragging a live minnow in moving water or along a lake bottom is a highly productive method.

Best Conditions:

Deep pools in rivers or near structure where trout ambush prey.
Coldwater lakes where trout chase schools of baitfish.

Crickets and Grasshoppers

Terrestrial insects like crickets and grasshoppers are excellent seasonal trout baits, especially during late summer and early fall when they frequently fall into the water.

Best Techniques:

Freeline on the Surface: Cast gently and allow the cricket or grasshopper to float naturally.
Bobber Rig: Helps suspend the insect in a feeding zone.
Drift Fishing in Streams: Mimics a natural insect caught in the current.

Best Conditions:

Windy days when insects naturally land on the water.
Near grassy banks where trout expect falling prey.

Mealworms and Waxworms

Mealworms and waxworms are small but highly effective for trout, particularly in colder weather when trout seek out slow-moving, high-protein meals.

Best Techniques:

Use on a Small Hook (#10 to #14) and Light Line: Helps the bait move naturally.
Pair with a Jig or Ice Fishing Setup: Great for targeting trout through the ice.
Suspended Under a Bobber: Effective in lakes and slow-moving streams.

Best Conditions:

Ice fishing or early spring when insect activity is low.
Clear water where natural presentations matter.

Hellgrammites and Nymphs

Hellgrammites (dobsonfly larvae) and aquatic nymphs are high-value food sources for trout, especially in fast-moving rivers. These baits are incredibly effective because they mimic the natural diet of wild trout.

Best Techniques:

Drift Fishing: Hook them through the collar and allow them to move naturally with the current.
Bottom Bouncing: Use a split shot weight to keep the bait near the riverbed.

Best Conditions:

Fast-moving streams with rocky bottoms.
Summer months when insect larvae are abundant.

Salmon Eggs

Salmon eggs are a favorite bait for stocked trout, as they closely resemble the hatchery pellets many stocked fish are accustomed to eating. They also attract wild trout, particularly during spawning seasons when fish are looking for easy meals.

Best Techniques:

Single Egg on a Hook: Drifted naturally in a stream.
Egg Cluster on a Small Hook: Fished under a bobber or on a bottom rig.

Best Conditions:

Streams and rivers during trout spawning seasons.
Stocked lakes where trout are conditioned to recognize egg patterns.

Final Tips for Using Live Bait Effectively

Use the Right Hook Size: Small hooks (#8 to #14) work best for natural presentations.
Match the Hatch: Use bait that mimics what trout naturally eat in the area.
Keep Bait Fresh: Live bait loses effectiveness if it’s dead or dried out.
Adjust Your Depth: Trout feed at different levels depending on temperature and time of day.

Final Thoughts

Trout fishing isn’t always about what’s in your tackle box—it’s about knowing when and where to use it. Some days, one of these baits will have trout jumping into your net. Other days, they’ll ignore everything you throw at them. That’s just fishing. Try a few of these, experiment a little, and enjoy the time on the water—because that’s what it’s really about.

Are you a gear aficionado when it comes to fishing? Keep reading on:

–Best Fly Fishing Vests

–Best Bass Lures

– Best Walleye Rods