The Best Trout Lures For Small Streams And Creeks

Trout fishing is one of the most diverse and interesting types of fishing out there. When some anglers think of trout fishing, they envision hitting the big rivers and lakes, chasing after fish over 20 pounds. On the other hand, there are plenty of anglers who prefer heading out to smaller streams and creeks, catching some of the best looking small trout you’ll ever see. Both kinds of trout fishing are exciting in their own right.

For this article, we’re focusing on those smaller streams and creeks, using smaller lures and tackle to catch trout.

When you’re going into these small streams and creeks, you’re not going to be using your bigger trout fishing gear and lures. Instead, you’re going to have to go small. Bring along a shorter spinning rod (6 to 7 feet) with a smaller spinning reel and lighter line. Everything we’re doing here is to create as subtle of a presentation as possible.

This stays true with the lures as well. There are plenty of factors to consider, like the water clarity, the type of water you’re fishing, the time of day, how sunny it is, and more all play a part in deciding both which lures to use as well as which colors of those lures you should try.

Overall, there are three main kinds of lures you should be bringing with you to the small streams and creeks when you’re going trout fishing:

Hands down the number one option you should go with is a small trout spinner. These have been one of the most popular trout lures for decades, and for good reason. They come in a wide range of sizes, colors, and extra features.

Spinners are a great choice for a variety of scenarios, but really shine in shallow water or in fast moving water. Their design allows them to create a ton of flash and vibration as you retrieve them back to you, which helps make trout attack them aggressively.

Another tried and true classic for trout fishing these small streams and creeks is a spoon. Spoons are an ideal option when you’re fishing some deeper pools of slower moving water, as they do a better job at getting down in front of the fish in these areas. Their natural fluttering motion mimics injured baitfish, and their metallic flashes help catch the attention of fish in the area. 

Here’s an option that isn’t as well known as spoons and spinners, but still creates great opportunities in these creeks and streams. Small crankbaits are designed to very closely mimic baitfish. If you’re in an area that you know (or believe) there are some larger trout, tying on a small crankbait is a good idea.

These lures are great for working slowly through pools of water that the fish are piled up in, or even bouncing in, around, and off of rocks. You’ll want to mix up your retrieval speeds.

Now that you know what lures work best in these areas, there are some additional tips and techniques to keep in mind. Because these bodies of water are so small, stealth is going to be your number one priority. The fish in these waters are going to be able to tell when you’re there if you aren’t being quiet and stealthy. Because of this, you have to approach every area you want to fish slowly and quietly.

When you identify an area to fish, try to pick some of the best spots first. These spots can get overfished quickly, so try to maximize each cast as best you can.

When it comes to colors, there are a few things to keep in mind. If the water is clear, opt for more natural looking lure colors. A regular silver lure can work well in this scenario too. If the water is stained, then you can move onto some of the brighter lures to get their attention. This is also when gold and copper metallic lures are going to work best.