Hobbies And Interests
Aquatic Insects
Aquatic insects are those insects that live on or beneath the surface of water or skim along the top. They include springtails, mayflies, dragonflies, stoneflies, dobsonflies, alderflies and even butterflies, moths and beetles. The trout is not particular about which of these insects it catches. It will grab any of them that happen to be over, on or under the water when it is hungry. Mayflies and young dragonflies are most numerous around the fresh water lakes and rivers where trout make their homes but any aquatic insect will do for a hungry trout.
Terrestrial Insects
Terrestrial insects are insects that live on dry land. These insects include grasshoppers, crickets, cicadas, leafhoppers, ants and any other insect that lives on land. When they fall into the water by accident, their thrashing movements attract the trout. Though these insects make up only a small portion of a trout's diet, no trout will ignore the thrashing. Most trout will grab anything that comes within their range.
Developing Insects
Another large source of food for many trout is the young of the aquatic insects. Many aquatic insects lay their eggs in or near the water. When the eggs hatch, the larvae, pupae and nymphs spend their development time in or on the water. Brown trout, rainbow and cutthroat will make a feast on these pre-adult insects as well as the unhatched eggs.
Other Food Sources
Though insects make up a large portion of a trout's diet, the fish will not disregard such aquatic creatures as small fish, crayfish and crustaceans. When available, some trout will eat fresh-water shrimp and fish eggs. Some trout that live in lakes even become plankton feeders. In an environment where frogs are populous, trout can make a meal of small frogs and tadpoles as well.