Bull Trout

Bull trout are considered excellent water quality barometers due to their need for very clean and clear water to survive.

 

HOW TO IDENTIFY A BULL TROUT

The bull trout resembles the Dolly Varden in external characters, and will probably require laboratory analysis by a scientist familiar with the species to be positively identified. As a rule one can be fairly certain that any char other than the lake trout (S. namaycush) or brook trout (S. fontinalis), weighing over 12 pounds and taken in the areas mentioned, will prove to be a bull trout.

 

WHERE TO CATCH BULL TROUT

Endemic to the Pacific Northwest, the bull trout inhabits most of the major drainages on both sides of the Continental Divide. It seems to prefer large, cold rivers and lakes draining high mountainous areas, and tends to frequent the bottoms of deep pools. It has been recorded in northern California, Oregon, Washington, northern Nevada, Idaho, western Montana, Alberta and British Columbia, Canada. The following list includes additional details on where to catch this fish:

 

Backflow                               Freshwater Lakes and Ponds                                  Holes

Inlets and Outlets               Open water                                                                Outsides of Bends

Rivers and Streams            Rock and Boulder Pockets                                        Dams and Falls

Drop-Off                              Eddies                                                                           Merging Currents

Small Pointed Waves         Standing Waves                                           Current Edges

 

 

HOW TO CATCH BULL TROUT

The bull trout and the Dolly Varden are not as highly rated as a game fish as most other members of the Salmonidae family, but they do have considerable sporting and food value and are gaining esteem. The following are fishing methods used to catch this fish:

 

Jigging                                       Drift Fishing                                         Fly Fishing

Trolling                                                Bait Casting                                         Still Fishing

Spin Casting

 

BULL TROUT LURES, TACKLE & BAIT

The following are lures, tackle or bait that can be used to catch this fish:

 

 

Cured Fish Roe                                                Cut Bait                       Flies

Jigs                                                      Saltwater Live Bait      Spinner Bait

Spoons