Favorite Bait for Cutthroat Trout?

[zoomiest]

wI am taking some 11 year old scouts fishing this weekend, and would like to make sure they catch something.

The lakes we are planning to visit are reputed to have cutthroat trout in them.

What is your favorite bait for cutthroat trout?

[smitty9]

zoomiest:

Where specifically are you headed? I ask, because many lakes containing cutthroat have bait bans.

Did you mean bait like worms, maggots, powerbait etc, or did you mean "bait" as a generally vague term used by many fisherman as in "what lures/hooks work best."

Just saying if you're taking scouts, you obviously know that more important than catching fish is having fun and setting a good example. So make sure everyone is familiar with the regulations on the waterbody you are fishing.

Ok, so having said the "preachy" part, here's an answer:

1. As far as bait goes, dew worms and Berkley powerbait are popular. One last preachy part; if you're planning to release trout, please DO NOT use bait! And make sure the lake legally allows bait! (Did I mention this..lol)

2. As far as lures go, mepps and panther martin spinners, small rapalas, small spoons, if you can troll, flatfish can be good.

3. I flyfish, so an assortment of flies can work. Small caddis or adams for dry flies if its calm, crystal leeches and nymphs can work. By the way, you can suspend leech flies and nymph flies below a slip bobber with spinning gear.

Hope that helps, have fun, good luck, and remember your licenses (for adults) and regs.

Smitty

[Christofficer]

smitty, I know you have the best intentions with your post, but I doubt the guy is gonna take a bunch of scouts out to teach them how to poach. LOL.....

You can try shrimp. It works good for rainbows. Also power eggs should do the job, or any scented roe is good to try. I don't use alot of bait for trout, but have had success in the past with scented roe. I think I mainly only use it because it's convenient, I hate going out of my way to buy live bait.

You can also try canned corn, but I heard an old wive's tale that it kills the fish. If you use corn, take that hard kernel out of the middle just in case. I don't think it does though.

[zoomiest]

Smitty,
Thanks for the heads-up. I DIDN'T KNOW that some lakes had trait bans. I guess I could be teaching kids to poach - and not even know it.

How would I find out which lakes have bait bans?

I was looking at Headwall lake, Chester Lake and Hogarth lake. They are all very close to each other... all in the Kananaskis...

Think we will catch very much from the shore?

[zoomiest]

Christofficer, thanks for the tips.

[Photoplex]

Originally Posted by zoomiest

How would I find out which lakes have bait bans?

All in the Regs!

Headwall - Zone ES1 - Open year round - Trout limit: 2 - Bait allowed (except dead bait fish)

Chester lake - Zone ES1 - CLOSED NOV 1 to JUN 30 - Bait banned.

Hogarth Lakes - Zone ES1 - Open year round - Trout limit: 1 over 40cm - Bait banned

[fishpro]

Another thing to keep in mind - although the weather has been warm lately, I would guess that all the mountain lakes with cutthroat in them are frozen over now. Just a heads up.