If you’re new to trout fishing or guiding a beginner, you should consider fishing a trout pond.
A pond’s stagnant water is ideal for casting, and their stocked fish can give aggressive bites. In my experience, I have seen many young anglers become hooked on trout by fishing a pond (myself included).
Types Of Trout Ponds
It may seem unnecessary to clarify the different types of trout pond, but they are often confusing. Even worse, you may find yourself with a hefty fine after fishing in a restricted area.
First, trout ponds need stocking, so “stocked trout ponds” and “trout ponds” are interchangeable. Usually, ponds designed for trout fishing are community ponds or fish farms.
Community ponds are self-explanatory and easy to identify in neighborhoods and cities across the U.S. Be careful. I encounter many community trout ponds that are tempting to fish because of their giant rainbow trout. However, not all are legal to fish.
Fish farms are often rural and have a “pay-to-play” format. Trout farms raise trout for harvest or sport. Though the cost may deter some anglers, this freshwater destination offers quick catches and easy water access.
Both fish farms and community ponds offer excellent trout fishing for anyone looking for that easy catch.
How To Catch Trout In Ponds
Certain conditions make catching rainbow trout favorable and beginner friendly. Look for these factors to increase your chances of hooking a ‘bow.
Locating Trout In Ponds
Before you bombard a pond’s shoreline, a quick observation will point you toward a trout’s favorite habitat. Remember, these aren’t schooling fish. Instead, trout prefer spots where the water has sufficient oxygen and temperature.
Look for aerators, fountains, inlet creeks, or natural springs. These indicate cool temperatures and oxygen flow and will hold plenty of healthy trout.
Approaching The Water
Due to a pond’s calm conditions, minimal movement can disrupt and spook trout. Although stocked trout have a reputation for being an easy catch, you should not overlook your proximity to the water – amble with a low profile to remain undetected.
Don’t panic if you spook trout. The fish will reset with enough time, or more trout will move in.
Fish Depth
After a careful approach, the name of the game is fish-depth. This can be as easy as sitting and observing before wetting a line. If fish are rising, you will see splashing or rippling water.
If after 10 minutes there is no surface action, assume trout are feeding subsurface on nymphs. A drop-shot or Carolina rig with conventional gear will be your best friend but don’t overlook a good ole’ fashion bobber and hook. For the fly fishing junkies, a nymph beneath an indicator or dry fly should produce.
Time Of Day
Dawn and dusk will be your most successful time to catch rainbows in any pond. These low-light conditions make ‘bows aggressive and eager to consume various lures.
But if you are susceptible to the infamous snooze button, don’t put your rod and reel away quite yet. Rainbow trout are opportunistic feeders throughout the day compared to their trout cousins. This makes them available to catch in the morning, afternoon, and evening.
Stocking Status
People view stocked fish as a predictable catch, but remember that trout adapt. Therefore, recent stockers are negligent compared to any holdovers from previous months.
My advice? Check your pond’s stocking records to know when wildlife management last planted trout. You can expect fresh stockers to have an aggressive bite and older trout to be pickier.
Best Lures For Trout Ponds
Worms
You can’t go wrong with a worm, especially if you find hungry trout in a condensed fishery. Hook your worm to a #10 or #12 Aberdeen hook, and tie it 2-4 feet below a bobber. Split-shot will sink your worm; add a slip bobber for further depth if necessary.
Spinners
Pinpointing spinners between structures and currents on a river is difficult, so a pond is a perfect place to practice. I favor #2-4 Mepps or Panther Martin spinners, but Rooster Tails are budget-friendly and ideal for ponds. Gold, silver, bronze, and black spinners are fan favorites.
Corn And Powerbait
You don’t have to break the bank for your pond-fishing adventure. Corn and Powerbait are both cheap and effective for pond ‘bows.
Why? They replicate pellets that comprise a hatchery’s menu. Since a pond’s trout come from the hatchery, they are susceptible to corn and Powerbait’s simple design.
Flies
The intricate parts of fly fishing make it an intimidating option with a steep learning curve. You will find that a pond is the best place to learn to cast, retrieve, and set the hook with your fly rod. A Colorado pond was the genesis of my fly-fishing obsession.
Optimal flies include streamers, particularly the wooly bugger, nymphs, and dry flies. Successful nymphs replicate aquatic insects, so fill your box with scuds, copper johns, hares ears, and prince nymphs. If it were me, I would fish a dry-dropper setup with any nymph below a hopper or elk hair caddis.
Related Questions
What Rod And Line Should I Use?
Don’t break the bank for a particular rod when fishing trout ponds. Any all-purpose rod will work. I still use a $15 Berkley Cherrywood for panfish, bass, and trout.
I recommend 4- to 6-pound monofilament when fishing ponds. If you want to spend the money, fluorocarbon line will help your lure sink faster. However, the shallow depth of a pond makes this purchase unnecessary.
How Deep Does A Pond Have To Be For Trout?
According to the Michigan DNR, trout ponds should be at least 12 feet deep. This depth is to provide cool temperatures and protection in warm months. Small ponds with inlet creeks or natural springs may avoid this 12-foot minimum.
Are Trout Bottom Feeders?
Trout hold near the bottom of any watershed, but that doesn’t make them bottom feeders. They are almost always looking up for their next meal. When fishing deep for trout, suspend your lure 6-12 inches from the bottom.
Do Trout Spawn In Ponds?
It is rare for trout to spawn in ponds or lakes. Lack of oxygen and warmer temperatures are not ideal for fertilizing and hatching eggs. However, rainbow trout will try by looking for inlet streams, deep pools, and natural springs for spawning environments.
Final Thoughts
A pond’s underwhelming character doesn’t hold the romantic image of a mountain river. But they are beginner friendly and limit the frustration of moving water.
So next time you consider trout fishing, take a beginner to a pond to show them the ropes of trout fishing. Believe me, there is nothing like seeing a trout grab your fly or lure for the first time.
