How to Catch Stocked Trout in a Pond? [+ Best Baits and Lures]

Trout is one of those fish species that are very exciting to catch.

You can practice different fishing techniques, from fly fishing on a wild river, to a calm afternoon fishing on a local pond. Here I am going to focus on pond fishing.

To catch a trout in a pond you will have to locate the fish that is usually in the vicinity of covers, such as underwater vegetation and structures.

You will also need the right tackle and bait ... Try with the basic setup and use lightweight spincasting or spinning rods.

To know more about how to catch trout in a pond, read all the following chapters ...

Where do Trout Hang Out in Ponds?

First of all, trout like cold and clean water, with natural food sources, such as aquatic insects and small fish like minnows.

Covers are another important feature.

First of all, trout wants to stay protected from predators. Secondly, small fish often hide in such places, so trout has a constant food source.

To find a specific location within a pond where you will have the highest chance to catch trout, search for those covers.

One of the possibilities is thick underwater vegetation. You can usually find trout around it, as the trout likes to stay in the vicinity, to be able to hide if necessary.

Other covers frequently used by trout are underwater structures such as sunken logs, rock piles and similar.

If the specific pond has a water inlet, like a stream, you can find trout congregating around the area. It is a source of fresh water that brings food.

As already mentioned, trout like colder water.

If you are fishing during summer months, you should search deeper. When the temperatures are high, trout will seek cooler water and protection from predators. In ponds, deepest areas are usually towards the mid part. Get to know the local area and the pond to be able to locate these prime spots.

But don't get me wrong, the trout will not just sit in the covers. It will move round in search for food, but it will move alongside those places where the cover is near.

In a smaller pond, there is a high chance you will find it coming to the same spot multiple days in a row.

Another important factor in pond trout fishing is the time of the year.

As they like colder water, they are going to be very active during spring and fall.

During spring, a lot of insects hatch and those are the natural food source.

Ponds are usually small and shallow, so when the summer comes, you may notice that trout becomes inactive, as there are no places deep enough where the water that is cold enough.

In ponds that are stocked, stocking process happened during spring or fall too.

Choosing the Right Gear: Rod, Reel, Bobber, Spinner, Monofilament Line ...

To catch this beautiful fish, you will have to adjust your approach slightly, as it is not the same as in wild rivers.

When we are talking about how to catch stocked trout, we should start with the tackle choice.

You will need just a basic setup, that includes a lightweight spinning or spincastig rod, a reel that matches the rod, a float/bobber, some artificial baits and lures, suitable hooks and a splitshot.

Almost every angler has all of these items at home.

When it comes to the rod, a 6ft long one will be just perfect. Use a monifilament line about 4-6 pounds.

Size 8-10 hooks are probably the best choice, but you can have a size smaller and larger with you to change if necessary.

Best Techniques for Catching Stocked Trout in Ponds

There are a few different techniques to try, depending on a situation.

You can either suspend your bait underneath the float, or to fish from the bottom. The last option is using spinners or spoons.

Float / Bobber Fishing

So let’s start with a float setup.

You can use a worm or a similar bait, depending on a location, local rules and time of the year. Use a #8 baithook. Distance between the float and a split shot should be about 20 inches. Attach a baithook relatively close to the split shot and floating bait.

Locate one of those previously mentioned spots that are likely to have a trout in a vicinity and cast. When the fish bites, you are going to notice it due to the float. This technique (bait fishing) is very good in times when the trout is actively swimming around, or if you are fishing above the underwater structure.

Bottom Fishing

For those who want to fish from the bottom the setup is even easier.

Remove the bobber, add a bit heavier lead to get the bait to the bottom and use a bait that floats. That way, your bait will be positioned slightly over the bottom.

This technique is used when the trout are spending time near the bottom. One of those situations is during warmer months of a year.

Spinning Fishing

And the third option is a spinning bait.

Find those that resemble natural trout food. The technique is quite simple.

Cast the lure over the place where the trout is. Wait a little bit for a lure to sink, and then you should start retrieving.

When talking about how to catch pond trout the technique is important, especially when using spinners.

The most important rule to remember is that you should change the retrieving pace.

Speed has to vary, and you can even make short pauses and sudden moves. Try a few times to see what triggers the trout and continue doing so. If you constantly retrieve the lure at the same speed, it is going to look unnatural and trout can avoid it. The goal is to mimic the real fish, preferably injured one.

Best Strategies for Different Pond Environments

Trout fishing in ponds may seem simple, but for beginners that thought can be very misleading.

Although ponds are easier to figure out than wild rivers, there are differences among them that you need to consider, and one of the most important differences is pond depth.

Strategies for Fishing in Shallow Ponds

Shallow ponds tend to heat up a lot faster than deep bodies of water. As you all know, trout don’t like hot water, and with lack of depth where they would naturally go to avoid heat, they have to stay in this shallow water. And will seek shelter in shaded areas.

This heat makes trout uninterested to feed and that affects your fishing success. To increase your chances, fish shallow ponds during early morning, or around sunset. With no direct sunshine that heats up the water, trout will be more comfortable to feed.

Shallow water can also be an advantage after winter, as it will heat up sooner and fish will become active a lot sooner than those lining in deep waters.

Strategies for Fishing in Deep Ponds

Deep ponds are quite similar to smaller lakes when it comes to fishing techniques. Deeper places usually have some prominent bottom features or structures like rocky, sunken logs, or even drop offs. All these places are more likely to hold trout than regular, flat, and structureless bottom.

Keep in mind that trout is an ambush predator. It will hide and wait for prey to come close to attack it. Position your bait next to structures or steep drop offs.

This latter feature is especially important in warmer months when trout spend time deeper in water where temperatures are lower.

Strategies for Fishing in Weedy Ponds

Weedy ponds are excellent for trout fishing. Most often, bottom and edges of ponds are very rich in minerals and nutrients that enable aquatic plant growth. Whether it is weed beds or lily pads, all vegetation provides shelter and hiding places for fish. Trout is no exception and will search for such places that offer shade and shelter.

Consider weeds like structures. Ponds sometimes lack structures like rock formations on sunken trees. Present your bait on the edges of weedy areas and target trout there.

What is the Best Time to Catch Stocked Trout?

Timing is everything when it comes to trout fishing in ponds! Here are the most important things to know about it!

Best Time of Day to Fish for Trout in Ponds

Pond fishing is affected by daytime, probably even more than wild and large bodies of water. Due to faster heating and cooling down during day, and fast changes in temperature, trout will behave slightly different.

When temperatures start to rise and warmer parts of the year come, you want to fish around sunrise and sunset.

If I have to recommend just one time of day, it would be evening, around dusk. Sun will go down, temperatures will start to drop, and trout will come out of the shade to feed.

Seasonal Variations in Trout Activity

Trout ponds are affected by the season. Although these changes happen quicker than in deep lakes, they follow similar patterns.

During transition times, in spring, anglers will be successful if they fish in parts of ponds that are warmest.

In early fall, you still want to target colder parts of the pond. But, as temperatures start to drop more significantly, trout will feel more comfortable and pond become great places for fishing, even during the day. This aggressive feeding after warm summer is excellent for fishing!

In summer, avoid fishing during warmest hours of the day and target deeper areas, while winter technique should be the opposite!

Weather Conditions That are Favorable for Trout Fishing

Weather affects trout activity a lot! Trout like cooler temperatures as you already know, so a day that is great for family picnic is bad for trout fishing.

Cloudy days with low light conditions, or even rain, are the best! Rain will stir up the water, oxygenate it, and cloud will block sunlight and slow down the water heating.

During such days, you can even be successful while fishing during hours that are usually not recommended, like midday, especially during spring.

Heavy rain and thunderstorms should be avoided, however, time before the storm can be excellent!

What is the Best Lure and Bait for Stocked Trout?

Now you know how to catch trouty in a pond, but what secret bait to use? Or what lure?

There are a few options for ponds, and they depend on certain factors. But, before choosing the best one for you, check the local rules and regulations.

If you want to chose something that resembles natural food, check what is their natural food in the area you live in.

Here are a few good options:

WORMS

You can use different worms, but nightcrawlers are one of the best ones.

You can use them for both float fishing an bottom fishing. They are quite cheap, easily accessible and you can even dig them up yourself.

CORN

Corn is usually associated with carp, however it can be a good trout bait too.

You can use canned corn, or even prepare it yourself.

To use it, thread it onto the hook and add a splitshot few inches above to sink it. Cast it near the place where trout is.

SALMON EGGS

This bait is very popular in North America.

You can buy it in a bait store. Salmon eggs will attract trout with flavor and color.

To use it, you are going to need a bit smaller hooks that usual, and add 2, or maybe 3, eggs on the hook. You can use it for bottom and float fishing too. If you need help choosing the correct hook type click the link.

POWERBAIT

This is a dough-like bait manufactured to attract the trout.

There are a few brands available on the market, and the product can go under a different name.

It is very effective and most often used molded around treble hooks for bottom fishing. You can get it in different colors.

DOUGH BALLS

Stocked pond trout is used to man-made food, and instead of natural baits, you can prepare dough balls for trout fishing.

Some anglers prefer Powerbait among these kinds of baits, however, dough balls are very cheap and easy to make at home. You can also customize the recipes.

If you are fishing for rainbow trout, make sure to add some cream cheese to your dough, because they absolutely love it.

You may need to practice a bit to get the perfect result, but once you figure it out, you will see how good these baits actually work.

Present it to trout on a simple bobber setup.

SPOONS and SPINNERS

Spoons and spinners are both great options when it comes to choosing lures for stocked trout fishing in a pond.

These types of lures are known for their ability to attract and entice trout, making them essential tools for anyone trying to catch these fish.

Spoons, with their wobbly and fluttering action, are perfect for mimicking injured baitfish, while spinners, with their flashing and spinning blades, can trigger aggressive strikes from hungry trout.

Whether you are casting from the shore or trolling from a boat, having a selection of spoons and spinners in your tackle box will greatly increase your chances of a successful day on the water. 

CRANKBAITS

When it comes to fishing for stocked trout in a pond, using crankbaits also can be a great strategy.

These lures are specifically designed to mimic the motion of small baitfish, which is a common prey for trout. Crankbaits are effective trout lures because they can be retrieved at a variety of speeds, allowing anglers to experiment with different presentations until they find what works best.

The erratic action of crankbaits can trigger aggressive strikes from hungry trout, making them a valuable tool for pond fishing.

So, if you're looking to hook into some stocked trout in a pond, be sure to pack a selection of crankbaits in your tackle box.

Etiquette and Safety Tips for Trout Pond Fishing

Trout pond fishing is very safe, however, there ate common sense things to implement into your fishing routine, to make the experience enjoyable for both you and others.

Importance of Respecting Other Anglers

Some anglers like to fish in groups, while others like to be alone.

Don’t invade their space, don’t be too loud even if you are in a group of friends, and don’t do anything that can negatively affect other. Ask yourself how you would feel if you were in their place if you are unsure how to behave.

Ponds are small, easily accessible and popular, which means that they can get crowded. For it to be enjoyable for everyone, you have to be mindful.

Don’t make a mess, leave garbage around, or treat ponds like your own space where you can do whatever you want.

Safety Precautions to Take While Fishing for Trout in Pond

Pond trout fishing is safe, but here are some tips on how to make it even safer:

• Be careful when casting on a crowded pond, you don’t want to catch a fellow angler.
• Be careful where you walk not to fall in the cold water – have extra set of clothes in winter.
• Use sunscreen and drink a lot of water in summer (don't forget on food).
• Don’t fish during thunderstorms.
• Keep a close eye on the kids or elderly family members.

And that’s it!

Regulations to be Aware of When Fishing for Trout in Ponds

All ponds, even private venues, have certain rules that must be obeyed. Anglers should obtain a fishing license if not stated otherwise.

Use internet as your friend here. Find official fishing authorities’ website and find local rules and regulations for ponds you will be fishing at. Rules and regulations cover the following:

• Daily limit
• Size limit
• Bait/technique/equipment allowed
• Catch and release rules
• And anything else stated by authorities

Some ponds don’t have special rules at all, while others are strictly regulated. It is your responsibility to inform yourself and follow all the rules.

How to Catch Rainbow Trout in a Stocked Pond?

This fish is very popular trout specie to catch in a pond, mainly because it is the one of the most frequently used species to stock a pond.

Besides, if you decide to keep it, it is very tasty to eat.

So, how to catch rainbow trout in a stocked pond?

Rainy behaves like any other trout in the pond. It is going to be close to the hiding places, already mentioned in previous chapters.

If there is some kind of a water inlet, search there, because trout like oxygenated water.

Go to the pond early to get a good location. If it is a popular pond, avoid areas where large groups of people congregate, children play, and there is a lot of noise. Trout can sense when something is out of order and they are going to swim away.

You can use the same baits and tackle as with other species.

If the pond has been freshly stocked, try using smaller hooks and thinner lines, because there may be a lot of smaller and mid sized specimens that are not going to bite larger hooks.

Good thing about rainy is that it prefers cooler water than some other trout species, so you can have a good day of fishing in winter too. There is a high chance that this trout is going to be active.

Hopefully I answered you how to catch rainy trout in a pond.

This activity is suitable for anglers with no previous experience and it is a great starting point to learn before you decide to try out more challenging trout fishing techniques, on a wild river.

Conclusion

If you had any doubts about how to catch trout in a pond, now you know all the basics about it.

Pond fishing is not a complicated process. It is a great starting point for inexperienced anglers. Experienced anglers might find it good for a short afternoon fishing.

You do not need any special equipment or lures and many of you may have all of it at home. Get to know the pond, choose a good location and start fishing!

And one more tip in the end. If you are fishing right after the pond was stocked, fish close to the place where they released the fish. Trout are going to be cautions and won’t swim away instantly, so you will have a lot of them at the same spot.