Ask MidCurrent: What’s the Best Way to Fish Trout Lakes in Fall?

This beautiful Maine brook trout fell for a nymph crawled right along the lake bottom. Photo: Ben Rioux

Question: I recently retired to a house near a trout lake that I have fished during the summer for years. Now that I am here in the fall, how can I continue to catch fish until it gets too cold?
—Mark, Cavendish, VT (via the Ask MidCurrent form)

Answer: As water temperatures fall in late autumn, trout undergo noticeable changes in behavior. In the early part of fall, cooler water actually energizes trout to feed aggressively in preparation for winter and, for some species, fall spawning. Many trout instinctively bulk up on food during this pre-winter period to build fat reserves. Brown and brook trout spawn in late fall, driving them to feed heavily before and after spawning. Rainbow trout, which spawn in spring, also take advantage of the abundant fall food to fatten up for the lean winter ahead.

As the season progresses and water temperatures dip into the 40s (°F) and below, trout metabolism slows significantly. Being cold-blooded, their internal processes mirror the water temperature—the colder the water, the less energy they have to chase food. Trout won’t feed as often in near-freezing water and become far less aggressive than in warmer months.

Because their metabolism slows, trout in late fall won’t waste energy chasing fast-moving prey. Feeding windows are shorter and more opportunistic. Typically, the warmest part of the day—late morning through mid-afternoon—offers the best chance to find active fish. On sunny days, the shallow bays or shorelines that get direct sunlight can warm slightly, prompting a bit of insect activity and drawing trout to those sunlit shallows to feed. Even a one- or two-degree temperature difference can make a big impact. Outside of these windows, trout tend to hunker down, moving as little as possible.

Effective Patterns and Presentations

When fly-fishing cold lakes just before winter, match your fly selections to trout’s late-fall diet and slow down your presentation to match the fish’s slower mood. Natural food becomes scarcer in cold months, so trout turn to whatever small prey is available. Aquatic insect activity diminishes, but midges, stoneflies, and other hardy insects remain on the menu—mostly in their nymph forms. As a result, nymph patterns are especially productive in late fall. Try small imitations like Zebra Midges, Pheasant Tail Nymphs, or Hare’s Ear Nymphs, which resemble the tiny midge larvae and other insects trout sip on through winter. Smaller patterns— sizes 18–24—are more effective.

Streamers that imitate minnows, leeches, or other small fish can also be effective. Late in the fall, many lakes still hold young-of-year baitfish or active leeches. A Woolly Bugger (black, olive, or brown) or sculpin pattern can draw strikes from trout looking for a high-calorie meal. Streamers are also good for enticing larger, predatory trout that may not be feeding often; a slow-moving streamer presented right in front of them can trigger a reflex strike.

Don’t overlook egg patterns during the late fall season. With brown and brook trout spawning (as well as other species, like whitefish), trout in lakes often key on stray eggs as an easy food source. Drifting an egg pattern along the lake bottom or near creek inlets can hook fish opportunistically feeding.

An angler fights a rainbow trout on Montana’s Merrill Lake. Photo: Kubie Brown

Presentations in cold water should emphasize slow and subtle. Trout won’t chase a rapidly stripped fly, so move the flies much more slowly than in summer, often with frequent pauses. For streamers, try a slow, steady strip with pauses long enough to let the fly hover enticingly. Many anglers cut their normal retrieve speed in half in winter—if you usually strip line in 6-inch pulls, try 3-inch pulls with one- or two-second pauses. This lethargic movement mimics sluggish baitfish or leeches and gives trout time to bite.

Fishing nymphs under an indicator is another top method for late-fall lakes. Suspend one or two nymphs (or an egg fly) under a strike indicator and allow them to drift or slowly swing as the wind or any current takes it. The goal is to keep your nymph in the trout’s face as long as possible. In 40°F water, trout might barely move to grab a meal, so get your flies deep and keep them there. Use a longer leader or add split shot to reach the strike zone near the lakebed. Watch the indicator closely as takes may be extremely subtle.

If you’re targeting larger trout or deeper water, a sinking or sink-tip fly line will help you present streamers at depth. In late fall, trout may hold 15 to 25 feet down. Use the countdown method to let your fly sink before beginning a slow retrieve, so it moves right through the zone where trout are holding. When you get a strike, try that same depth again. Strikes may feel like a soft tug or extra weight, so set the hook at any sign of tension.

Though rare, dry-fly opportunities can still arise. On mild afternoons, you might see midges or blue-winged olives hatching in sheltered bays. When that happens, tiny dry flies like a Griffith’s Gnat or small BWO in sizes 18 to 22 can be effective. More reliably, use a dry-dropper rig: tie a buoyant dry fly and drop a small nymph two or three feet below. The dry acts as an indicator and can even draw strikes itself while the nymph hangs in the mid-depth feeding zone.

A canoe is a great way to fish ponds in fall, as it allows you to sneak up on shallow flats where warmer water has attracted the fish. Photo: Charles Hildick-Smith

Finding the Fish

Knowing where to find trout in a lake just before winter is as important as knowing how to catch them. In late fall, trout distribution shifts along with water conditions. Focus on areas that offer stable temperatures, easy food access, and comfort.

Deep water near structure is a prime area. As temperatures decline, trout often drop into deeper parts of the lake. Underwater features like drop-offs, rock piles, and submerged logs become magnets for fish. A steep drop-off, where a shallow flat plunges into deeper water, is especially productive. Trout will cruise along these transition zones, hanging at the depth that feels most comfortable. Deep structure provides slightly warmer, stable water and cover for ambush feeding. Trout tend to congregate in these areas, so if you catch one, others are likely nearby. Work that area thoroughly before moving on.

Inlet and outlet streams are also key. A creek flowing into a lake may be slightly warmer or better oxygenated than the lake water, attracting trout. These inlets deliver insects, small fish, and drifting eggs from upstream. Trout often stack up at creek mouths, especially just before winter when the rest of the lake’s food supply dwindles. Outlets, where water flows out, can be similarly productive, offering current, oxygen, and food.

Don’t ignore shallows entirely, particularly during the warmest part of the day. On sunny late-fall days, trout often move up from the depths to patrol shorelines or shallow bays. Sunlight can warm the water slightly, and trout will take advantage of this brief comfort. Shallow coves protected from wind can trap minnows or insect life, providing easy meals. Shorelines with direct sunlight can be surprisingly productive around midday. Try casting near the edges of weed beds, submerged logs, or over shallow flats adjacent to deeper water. Trout often use these flats as feeding shelves before retreating to deeper water when it cools again.

One of the beauties of fall stillwater fishing is that you can often have a whole lake or pond to yourself. Photo: Joel Ruby

Wind direction can also influence trout location. A breeze blowing into a shoreline pushes surface food toward that area, attracting fish. A light ripple on the water can mask your presence and make trout less wary in clear fall water. However, avoid areas with strong, cold winds that chill the water too quickly; in that case, seek sheltered bays or the lee sides of points.

Finally, consider spawning activity. Brown and brook trout spawn in fall, often in gravel shallows or near creek mouths. Avoid disturbing active spawners, but fishing just downstream or adjacent to spawning areas can be extremely productive. Non-spawning trout often feed on dislodged eggs or stirred-up insects nearby. After spawning, exhausted trout linger in deeper adjacent water to recover and feed.

Late fall can offer some of the best and most peaceful trout fishing of the year. Lakes are quiet, the scenery is dramatic, and the fish—though more selective—are still there for those who adapt. By understanding trout behavior in cold water, selecting the right flies, slowing your presentation, and focusing on key lake features, you’ll put yourself in the best position for success. Pair that with warm clothing, the right safety gear, and a little patience, and you’ll discover that late-season fly fishing has a charm all its own—the quiet pull of a trout on a crisp November afternoon, and the satisfaction of mastering the cold.

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