Blueback Trout, like many freshwater predators, are not overly fussy eaters. However, while they will eat whatever they can find, they do develop preferences much like people do.

Blueback Trout Food Preference

If a particular bait fish like the fathead minnow is popular at a particular time of year, then that is what they will go after. Knowing where bait fish are schooling will also help as Blueback Trout will follow and seek out bait fish.

Knowing the most popular baitfish is only half the battle. You must know where they are located in the lake and at what depth. Bluebacks will not chase down your lure or bait if minnows are schooling at the mouth of river far away from your location.

Common Blueback Trout foods include various species of minnows like fathead minnows and golden shiners. They will also eat young bass, trout and even their own kind. Both aquatic and terrestrial insects also make up their diet.

Focus on insect flies in the spring when insects are out in numbers and mating in the trees. Many will fall in the water attracting Blueback Trout along with other predatory fish.

Popular insects include mayflies to mosquitoes, grasshoppers and snails. And given a chance, they will even go after field mice and frogs.

Dry-flies work very well when imitating dragon flies and mayflies. Think as a Blueback Trout would think. Insects are close to the shore and as such, you should cast your fly in and around trees and brush. Also, build a mental picture of the underwater environment with each cast.

Also consider the use of bright colours and retrieve slowly. Twitch the rod now and then to mimic actual bait insect movement. Some favourite flies are the Teal and Yellow, the Bloody Butcher, the Blue Zulu, the Teal and Green, and the Mallard and Claret.

Feeding Time

Blueback Trout are most active in the early morning about 30 minutes after sunrise and the afternoon prior to sunset, though they will also feed through the day. Feeding time and duration depends on how well stocked the lake is of food.