Do Trout Like Salmon Eggs?

Salmon eggs are a popular bait for trout fishing. But do trout actually like the taste of salmon eggs? Let’s explore this topic in detail.

Why Salmon Eggs Work Well for Trout

There are a few key reasons why salmon eggs make an effective trout bait:

• Natural food source – In the wild, trout will naturally feed on the eggs of spawning salmon. So salmon eggs trigger their predatory instincts.

• Scent – Salmon eggs give off a strong fishy scent that draws trout in from a distance Trout have an excellent sense of smell

• Movement – The eggs wriggle and bounce in the current, mimicking life. This movement helps elicit strikes.

• Color – The bright orange/pink color of salmon eggs contrasts against stream bottoms. This helps trout spot the eggs.

• Nutrition – Salmon eggs provide a high-fat meal. Trout need energy, so they’re drawn to the nutritional value

So while we can’t know for sure if trout “like” the taste, salmon eggs tick all the boxes in terms of triggering a trout to bite.

When to Use Salmon Eggs for Trout

Salmon eggs can be productive trout bait any time of year. But they shine brightest during the fall salmon runs.

In Great Lakes tributaries, huge numbers of salmon enter the rivers in September through November to spawn. Trout gorge on the egg bounty.

Once you locate where salmon are spawning, fish salmon egg imitations right in the heart of the gravel beds. Trout will be hunkered down waiting for eggs to drift by.

How to Fish Salmon Eggs for Trout

Salmon eggs can be fished in a few ways:

• Drifting – Rig an egg hook so the bait floats off bottom. Let the current sweep the eggs downstream.

• Jigging – Under a float, slightly lift/drop the rod tip to impart action. Vary retrieve speed.

• Bounce rigging – As eggs tumble downstream, they kick up and bounce. Mimic this action.

• Still fishing – In slow water, let eggs sit on bottom. Wait for the take.

Adjust rigging and tactics based on water depth, speed and structure. But in general, imitation salmon eggs work well when drifted naturally.

Best Salmon Egg Colors for Trout

Salmon eggs come in a range of colors:

• Chinook – Deep red/orange
• Coho – Light orange
• Sockeye – Bright red/orange
• Pink – Light pink
• Steelhead – Pale orange

For trout, brighter colored eggs like chinook, sockeye and coho work best. Darker roe provides better visibility. But carry a mix of shades for changing conditions.

Cured vs Fresh Salmon Eggs for Trout Bait

Salmon eggs for bait come in two forms:

• Cured – Dyed, brined and preserved
• Fresh – Raw salmon skein

Both have pros and cons:

• Cured eggs last longer but have less scent.
• Fresh eggs have stronger scent but don’t keep.

Most anglers use cured eggs for convenience. But when possible, try to get fresh unprocessed salmon skein, especially early in the salmon run. The extra scent makes a difference.

Making Your Own Cured Salmon Eggs

With a few simple ingredients, you can cure salmon eggs at home:

• Skein from fresh salmon
• Non-iodized salt
• Borax (to firm eggs)
• Food coloring or egg cure dye

The process involves:

1. Rinsing skein of membrane and blood.
2. Brining briefly in salt and borax mix.
3. Draining then rolling eggs in dye till color saturated.
4. Laying out eggs to dry and harden.

DIY curing takes work but yields super fresh, high quality eggs. Buy kits or research full recipes online for best results.

Other Egg Options for Trout

While salmon eggs work well, trout will readily bite other egg baits too:

• Steelhead eggs – Just as effective as salmon eggs. Bright pink-orange.

• Trout caviar – Local eggs from resident stream trout. Match the hatch.

• Sucker eggs – Abundant in spring when suckers are spawning.

• Jars/jelly balls – Manufactured egg imitations. Convenient option.

So don’t be afraid to experiment with egg varieties. Carry a mix of types and colors when trout fishing.

Tip: Add Scent to Your Egg Bait

You can amplify the attractiveness of all egg baits by enhancing scent:

• Garlic oil – Soak eggs in garlic oil for added aroma.

• Cure packs – Add cures with amino acids and other attractors.

• Fish oils – Make an oily paste of fish oils and apply lightly.

A variety of commercial scent products are available. But natural oils work just fine for boosting scent.

Bottom Line

While we can’t get inside a trout’s mind, all evidence points to salmon eggs being an extremely effective bait. The proof is in the pudding. Salmon egg imitations catch a ton of trout.

From a visibility, scent and nutrition standpoint, salmon eggs push all the right buttons. While fresh eggs are best, cured eggs work very well too.

Next time you’re trout fishing, bring along some salmon egg bait. There’s a good chance the trout will happily gobble them down!