Species › Europe, UK & Ireland · Freshwater › Sea Trout

Freshwater

Sea Trout

Salmo trutta · sewin, peal, white trout

Water temp
46–59°F
Peak season
Jun–Aug
Best light
Low light
IGFA record
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Sea Trout (Salmo trutta.jpg)

Photo: Eric Engbretson for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service · Public domain · via Wikimedia Commons

OverviewWhere & WhenHow to CatchGearRegulationsRecordsForecastCatches

Overview

Sea trout are brown trout that migrate to salt water to feed and return to spawn, coming back silver with black spots and a square tail, often mistaken for small salmon. They run rivers across the UK, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and the Baltic from late spring into autumn, lying in deep pools by day and moving into the tails of pools after dark, where they take flies readily. In Denmark and Sweden they are fished from the shore along the coast all year. They matter to anglers because they fight well above their weight and present a serious challenge of stealth and timing.

Typical size1–3 lb (0.5–1.4 kg); 14–20 in
Trophy8 lb+ in the UK and Ireland; 15 lb+ in Scandinavian rivers
Table fareExcellent — pink, salmon-like flesh; many rivers are catch and release

Where & when

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River runs peak June–August in Britain and Ireland after summer floods; Danish and Swedish coastal fishing peaks in spring and autumn as fish feed in shallow water around 45–60°F (7–16°C).

River Towy (Tywi), United KingdomWales's premier sewin river; big fish in June–JulyRiver Spey, United KingdomScottish classic with prolific summer sea troutFunen (Fyn) coast, DenmarkWorld-class year-round shore fishing for coastal sea trout

How to catch

Night fly fishingAfter full dark, fish slim sparse flies and small tube flies on a floating or intermediate line across and down through the pool tails where sea trout move at night. Keep false casting to a minimum, retrieve slowly and let fish turn before tightening.
Coastal spinningWade sandy and weedy shorelines at dawn, dusk or on overcast days, casting 15–25 g spoons and slim lures long and retrieving steadily just above weed. Cover water quickly and focus on current seams, points and the edges of eelgrass.

Gear

Rod9½–10' 7-wt fly rod, or 9–10' spinning rod rated 10–30 g
Reel7–8 wt fly reel or 3000–4000 spinning
LineFloating/intermediate fly line with 8–10 lb tippet; 15–20 lb braid for spinning

Lures

slim coastal spoonssmall tube flies and streamersshallow-diving minnow plugs

Baits

sandeelworms (where permitted)small live or dead baitfish

Regulations

Rod licenses, beat permits and bag limits apply on all British, Irish and Scandinavian rivers, with closed seasons in autumn and winter and mandatory release on many waters. Danish and Swedish coastal fishing needs a state license and observes minimum sizes and spawning-season protections.

Records

IGFA all-tackle world record: not listed. State and regional records are kept by each fish & wildlife agency.

Frequently asked

Why are sea trout fished at night?

Fresh-run sea trout lie in deep, shaded water by day and are extremely easily spooked in the low, clear summer flows of most rivers. After dark they drop back into the shallow tails of pools to feed and lose much of their caution, which is when a small fly swung slowly through will be taken. The hour after full dark and the hour before dawn are usually the two best windows.

Bite forecast — Sea Trout

Recent catches

Posted by anglers on the live map, filtered to Sea Trout.

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