Is this a lake spawned trout?

[Bill Babler]

I have some Tim Hughes jerk baits that look just like that  😁

[Smallie Seeker]

On 7/6/2021 at 4:26 PM, Bill Babler said:

That would be the appropriate size and configuration of a January spawned rainbow.  Beautiful picture, thanks for sharing. 

Might we ask what location of the lake you caught this fish?

As Phil mentioned we have seen quite a few of these the past two years from Roark Creek thru the bottom of the restricted zone. 

Near outlet #2

[snagged in outlet 3]

On 7/6/2021 at 7:11 PM, tjm said:

Can rainbow trout spawn in a lake? Particularly one with frequent water level fluctuations?

Since rainbows primarily go through the act of spawning in winter they could spawn in the feeder creeks.  Probably why they are found around Roark Creek.

[Bill Babler]

I have caught lots and lots of trout in winter up as high as Walnut Shade. 

One of the local guides also used to utilize this Winter fishery in Turkey Creek going as far up as the Branson Airport. 

It’s amazing how far up these feeder creeks they will go in the cooler months. 

 

[Johnsfolly]

37 minutes ago, Bill Babler said:

It’s amazing how far up these feeder creeks they will go in the cooler months. 

Water flows would likely be more consistent and conducive for trout spawns.

[tjm]

Feeder creeks with fairly consistent flows make a lot  more sense to me than the lake itself. I just don't know enough about that area to know there are such creeks. A couple months ago I was catching dozens of parr marked rainbow out of a White Ribbon stream every time I went. I'm sure that last winter must have had ideal conditions, whatever that is. And yes the trout will go up to the step-across sections of a stream if there is forage and good water temperatures. I've caught them in water 3' wide and 1' deep in a couple of states. That then would make the fish above "wild spawned" but not "lake spawned".