Discover the most fascinating trout species in North America, from rainbow and brook trout to rare native varieties like Apache and Gila trout. Learn how to identify each one, where they live, and why protecting their habitats matters for anglers and healthy waterways alike.
Simple, versatile, and proven for generations, the fishing spoon lure has earned its place as a classic angler favorite. From pike and bass to trout and redfish, its flash and flutter make it hard for predators to resist.
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Essential Concepts: Smallmouth bass signal clean, stable freshwater; they favor rock, gravel, current breaks, clear water, and seasonal depth changes, and they feed mainly on crayfish, minnows, insects, and sometimes smaller bass. Habitat quality, sediment control, and watershed health shape both spawning success and diet.
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Essential Concepts: White crappie usually have five or six dorsal spines and vertical bars; black crappie usually have seven or eight spines and speckles. Color shifts with season and water, so use spine count, pattern, shape, and habitat together for the most reliable ID.
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Essential Concepts: Steelhead are anadromous trout that move between rivers and the ocean, return to spawn in freshwater, and are prized for their strength and acrobatics. Their numbers are under pressure from habitat loss, so responsible fishing and conservation matter.
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