What is a Tiger Trout and How to Catch It?

Tiger trout is a rare species of fish that’s artificially produced. The sterile hybrid comes from a cross between a brown trout (female) and brook trout (male).

Although hybridization may occur naturally in the wild, it’s very rare. In quality populations, the fish can grow 20 inches long and weigh 5 lbs.

There’s thrill and excitement that come with chasing a rare species of fish in its natural habitat. Read on as we’ll share with you everything there’s to know about the species, including how to catch tiger trout!

What is a Tiger Trout?

You already know that the tiger trout is from brook and brown trout fish crossed with each other. But, what does a tiger trout look like?

The name, tiger trout, is apt given that the species has stripes on its body similar to that of a tiger. Apart from its tiger-like stripes, it also has a nasty, aggressive attitude and sharp teeth just like its furry mammal name-sake. After its creation or hybridization, its lineage is put to a stop as it can’t produce any offspring.

Tiger trout fish are brown or greenish-yellow in color with lots of hues in between and darker patches along their bodies. The anal, pelvic, and pectoral fins of the fish are orange.

Their tail fins are slightly forked and square-shaped. These fish are voracious feeders and they provide anglers with a great sport fishing opportunity.

Tiger Trout Fishing Tips

You now know the answer to what is a tiger trout and what it looks like. We know you’re now eager to learn more about how to catch some. Remember these tips before you head into the water!

Fish Fresh Bodies of Water

Tiger trout are stocked across North America. Some of the states that are popular for their abundant populations of tiger trout include Utah, Arizona, Wyoming, and Colorado. If you’re not sure whether or not you have tiger trout in your state, you can check with the local wildlife department.

The state that has the best tiger trout locations is Utah as it has several rivers, reservoirs, and lakes. The best place to target the fish is in a popular local reservoir or mountain river in Utah. The Scofield reservoir is home to the largest tiger trout caught in the state and it weighed 8.16 kg or 18 lbs.

Apart from knowing what is a tiger trout, it’s also best if you know some anglers in the western states of the US can be quite secretive with regards to the best fishing spots. This is why it’s best to refer to the local wildlife department as they provide information on tiger trout stocking in lakes and streams.

Fish with Live Bait

So, what do tiger trout eat? The record for the fish in the state of Washington weighed almost 19 lbs. and it was hooked with just an egg and a worm!

As mentioned earlier, tiger trout are voracious eaters. Great bait choices are eggs, worms, and minnows. Take note: it’s necessary to check the local regulations on the use of minnows as live bait.

The quickest and simplest way for you to catch tiger trout using live bait is through the slip bobber rig. You’ll be able to adjust the bait’s depth.

If you prefer, you can also use Carolina-style rigs for more buoyant baits like worms and marshmallows. Be very generous with your use of worms and minnows if you’re looking for a massive, trophy-sized tiger trout. They also have to be lively on the water.

Cast the bait onto the area where the fish hunts for forage. As the space on the shore is often limited in a waterway, targeting the species will entail you to sit and wait for quite a while before you get a strike.

Fly Fish for Tiger Trout

As a general rule, match the hatch when you’re trying to catch tiger trout. But, generic patterns are still effective as tiger trout aren’t very picky eaters.

If you’re fishing in water that has smaller-sized fish, appeal to their diet using a generic dry fly, nymph, and emerging pattern.

As tiger trout gets bigger, your choice of fly should as well. We like using bait that imitates streamer patterns that are bigger. Remember that you need to appeal to the fish’s feeding habits.

Natural colors are an excellent starting point; however, you can also try out the streamers with some flash or vibrant hues. Your ultimate goal is getting tiger trout all riled up. A bigger tiger trout presented with a bigger meal is more likely to devour it.

Use Effective Trolling Rigs

You already know what is a tiger trout and you want the best way to catch one. If you also want to cover water, trolling on a lake or reservoir is very effective and you’ll find some of the biggest tiger trout.

Use as much flash as the idea here is to draw the attention of the fish as much as possible to your trailing lure. This way, the fish that is just nearby comes over to investigate and then bite. A trailing lure may be anything from an existing spinner, spoon, or flatfish.

If you’ll be fishing in a new lake, it is important that you locate fish efficiently before you key in on the specific spots, and trolling will help you do just that. The best approach is utilizing a long-line technique. Longline trolling places a good distance between your fishing boat and the catch.

Conclusion

We’ve answered the most frequently asked questions on the species, including what is a tiger trout and how to catch the fish. But, you may also be wondering, are tiger trout good to eat?

Yes! In fact, they make great table fare and they’re great fighters, hence why they’re a favorite target among anglers.

Remember the fishing tips above and we’re sure you’ll have a more enjoyable experience on the water!