Where To Find Trout In August And The Best Methods To Try

August across the country presents a challenge when looking to fish for trout. Water temps are up, oxygen levels are low, and fall spawning hasn’t started yet for some species, making it difficult to find these fish. However, there are a few tips and tricks that can help you chase these fish this time of year.

The biggest challenge presented in August for trout fishing is the water temperature. They’re going to be at some of the highest temperatures they’ll be all year, which leads to some of the lowest oxygen levels you’ll find all year. When this happens, the trout become far less active and less active when it comes to feeding.

To avoid this, trout are going to move to other places in any given body of water. In rivers and streams, they’re going to move to deeper holes, pockets behind logs, shaded areas, and faster-moving water to escape the heat and look for more oxygenated water.

When fishing lakes, trout are going to move into much deeper water with cooler layers. This can oftentimes be near underwater springs or other inflows that help increase oxygen levels and decrease water temperatures. Steep dropoffs can also be a great place to look.

With both options, you might have better luck on days when it’s overcast or if it has recently rained. These conditions can help lower the water temperatures and may trigger them to go and start feeding much more aggressively than your typical hot August day.

These summer trout aren’t going to be extremely aggressive, so you’ll need to pick your lures accordingly. Smaller spinners, spoons, and crankbaits can all be effective in the right areas. If you’re fishing in clear water, bright colors and natural colors can work well. If the water is more stained, try copper, gold, or any other color that contrasts well with the water color. There are also some key differences between fishing trout in lakes vs. rivers.

If you’re fishing a river or a stream, try casting upstream or across the current in those areas of deeper water or strong current areas. Retrieve your lure steadily and allow it to naturally mimic food. It’s also not a bad idea to get off the beaten paths this time of year and explore, trying to find less fished areas where fish are less likely to have seen a lure yet.

If you’re fishing in lakes, trolling is one of your best options. You’ll want to go find deep water with cooler temperatures. Deep-diving crankbaits and spoons are going to be your go-to in these areas. Downriggers and snap weights are going to help you a ton to get the lure down to the right depth where the fish are hanging out. Casting from shore can also work for some anglers, but you’ll need to find areas with steep drop-offs or cool water inflows.