FishableWaters

Species

Golden Rainbow Trout

On record in 484 waters across 2 states

Golden rainbow trout trace back to a single mutant fingerling found at a West Virginia hatchery in 1955 — hatchery workers noticed one yellow-mottled fish among thousands of normal rainbows, bred it selectively, and created a strain that now gets stocked as a novelty fish in states well beyond West Virginia. They're genetically rainbow trout, just carrying a color mutation that hatcheries have bred true.

Golden Rainbow Trout are on record in 484 waters across 2 states, most heavily in Pennsylvania and Maryland. FishableWaters tracks every golden rainbow trout stocking from state agency reports — use the state links and most-stocked list below to find waters near you.

By state

Most-stocked waters

How to catch them

Fish them exactly like standard stocked rainbows — same baits, same presentation, same behavior right after stocking. Their bright color means they get picked off by birds and other predators at a higher rate than normal rainbows, so most golden trout get caught within the first couple weeks after a stocking.

PowerBait, nightcrawlers, and small spinners work the same on goldens as on any other stocked rainbow. Their bright color does make them easier to sight-fish in clear water than a normal rainbow, which is as close to a special technique as this fish requires.

Know your fish

Bright yellow to golden-orange body, sometimes with a faint pink stripe still visible, and none of the dark spotting a normal rainbow carries. They stand out immediately against streambed and are easy to spot even in murky water, which also makes them easy targets for predators as holdovers.

Stocked in limited numbers during spring and fall trout stockings in states that carry them, usually as a bonus fish mixed in with a larger load of standard rainbows.

Freshest golden rainbow trout stockings

May 15, 2026Dents RunPA
May 13, 2026West Branch Tunungwant CreekPA
May 13, 2026Mahoning CreekPA
May 13, 2026Mahoning CreekPA
May 12, 2026Wooden Bridge CreekPA
May 12, 2026Big Cove CreekPA
May 12, 2026Kinzua CreekPA
May 12, 2026Manada CreekPA
May 12, 2026Manada CreekPA
May 11, 2026Owens CreekMD
May 11, 2026Roaring BrookPA
May 11, 2026Bear CreekMD
May 11, 2026Roaring BrookPA
May 8, 2026Beaver CreekMD
May 8, 2026Stonycreek RiverPA

Golden Rainbow Trout — FAQ

Where can I catch golden rainbow trout?+

Golden Rainbow Trout are stocked across 2 states, led by Pennsylvania and Maryland. Pick a state below to see every water stocked with golden rainbow trout.

What's the best bait for golden rainbow trout?+

PowerBait, nightcrawlers, and small spinners work the same on goldens as on any other stocked rainbow. Their bright color does make them easier to sight-fish in clear water than a normal rainbow, which is as close to a special technique as this fish requires.

When is the best time to catch golden rainbow trout?+

Stocked in limited numbers during spring and fall trout stockings in states that carry them, usually as a bonus fish mixed in with a larger load of standard rainbows.

How many waters are stocked with golden rainbow trout?+

484 waters across 2 states hold golden rainbow trout on record, updated daily from agency stocking reports.