The Best Fishing Line for Trout: Complete Guide

May 16, 2025

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8 min read

Fishing for trout around the U.S. can take you to some of the most awe-inspiring locations in the country; think Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Oregon, and Alaska, just for starters.

And let’s face it, other than bass fishing, trout fishing is right up there when it comes to popular freshwater targets. They are abundant (thanks to conservation efforts and stocking programs), they put up a nice fight for their diminutive size, and yes, they are a welcome addition to most dinner tables. (Note: If you’ve never had smoked trout, you owe it to yourself to try).

But without the right equipment, all the effort put into your trout fishing trip could be an exercise in futility. Yes, you’ll be surrounded by nature’s majesty, but if you’re fishing for hours and getting skunked, not even snow-capped mountains amid verdant pine forests will save the day.

Choosing the right fishing line is important in trout fishing. While it seems very elementary, won’t any fishing line do?—The right line could make a significant difference when you’re targeting these cautious, skittish fish.

Whether you’re fishing for rainbow, brown, brook, or cutthroat trout in rivers, creeks, or streams, or going after mammoth lake trout (or steelhead) in lakes and reservoirs, selecting your fishing line comes down to visibility, line weight (test), and durability.

Obviously, the larger the fish, the heavier the test of the line should be. For lake trout, for example, 10-20 lbs. test with a fluorocarbon leader should work well, but for those heading into locales searching for smaller trout, 2-6 lbs. test will do the trick. The biggest issue many trout anglers face is using too heavy a line, which limits the feel of a trout’s subtle bite and reduces the overall enjoyment of trout fishing.

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Select the type of water you usually fish in:

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Expert Opinion on Trout Fishing

Overall, trout fishing lines have three main choices: monofilament, fluorocarbon, and braided. They all have their merits, but it’s critical that you match your fishing conditions with the right line. For example, fishing with a visible line in clear water is not recommended.

Yes, the common sentiment is to load your spool with a monofilament line, such as the time-honored Berkley Trilene XL, because of its forgiving stretch and casting ability. But there will be scenarios when a monofilament line, in general, just isn’t the best way to go. Remember, you have options.

Here’s a roundup of what you should look for when choosing fishing line for trout fishing:

Key Considerations When Choosing Lines for Trout Fishing

Line weight/test

One of the most common mistakes trout anglers make is using too heavy lines. For 90 percent of those targeting rainbow, brown, or cutthroat trout, except for lake trout, using a 2-6 lbs. test is all you need. Using a lightweight line will not only help you feel the trout’s bite but also help with the presentation of bait. The rule of thumb is you should be able to catch trout weighing twice the rated test of your line. Since the chances of catching a 5-lbs. rainbow or brown trout are remote, as long as you set the drag on your reel correctly and don’t jerk the fish out of the water using your rod, you should be fine.

Remember that the weight of the line needs to be adjusted upward when fishing in stronger currents, and if you’re planning to do some long-distance casting.

Abrasion resistance

Chances are, you’ll be fishing for trout near the structure, be it brushy areas, rock piles, or dock pilings. A line that can hold up to abrasion in these typical locales will make a substantial difference between line breakage and integrity. Look at the braided line first for lines with good abrasion resistance, followed by fluorocarbon.

Both hold up very well when rubbed against rocks or submerged tree branches and roots, making them a sound choice for fishing where surface and mid-water contain structure.

Visibility

Fluorocarbon line is preferred for most scenarios thanks to its low visibility in water, making it exceedingly difficult for often skittish trout to see.

Monofilament is best for fishing in muddy or murky water, since visibility isn’t a priority. When in doubt, simply use a fluorocarbon leader.

The same holds for braided lines. While many anglers recommend a fluorocarbon leader, braided line is preferred when fishing in muddy water since it allows trout to see the line–and the bait.

Rod/Reel set-ups

For most environments, starting with a light or ultra-light rod is preferred by most trout anglers fishing in rivers, streams, and lakes.

In terms of size, it depends on where you plan to fish for trout. Larger rods measuring 7-8 feet are good when casting in lakes and when hookset is a priority. Compact rods measuring 5-6 feet have the most utility; however, as less space is needed to cast, especially in brushy areas.

Fishing from a kayak or canoe? You may get away with using rods in the 4.5-foot range.

For reels, smaller is better most of the time. A 500 or 1000 series spinning reel—from manufacturers like Daiwa and Abu Garcia- should handle most scenarios, especially when fishing in rivers, creeks, or streams.

Types of Fishing Line for Trout

Monofilament

Pros:

Always stretchy, which acts as a “shock absorber” when fighting a fish. Helpful when tying knots.
Low visibility in water makes it less likely to spook trout.
Less expensive than fluorocarbon and braid.

Cons:

Not always responsive when feeling a slight nimble and setting a hook.
Line memory: Can curl if spooled in reel too long; curled line not ideal for casting.
Not as durable as braided line and fluorocarbon lines

Fluorocarbon

Pros:

Tops in visibility. Doesn’t reflect light like mono in water. Virtually invisible to trout.
High sensitivity: feeling subtle hits is a major plus for those just starting with trout fishing or those targeting smaller trout.
Resists abrasion.
Minimal stretching makes it valuable when fishing jigs in and around vegetation and cover for larger trout.

Cons:

Stiffness or rigidity makes casting and tying effective knots more difficult than with monofilament.
Doesn’t stand up as well as a braided line to abrasion.
Sinks in the water make topwater presentations tricky.

Braided

Pros:

Thinner than monofilament (more line fits on spool) but with similar strength profile.
The king of longevity.
Outstanding casting range given the inherent weight of the line.
Fewer tangles than monofilament or fluorocarbon.
Sound choice when targeting lake trout or larger fish.
Good to use when fishing in heavy cover or muddy water.

Cons:

Little stretch.
Visible to trout; typically paired with fluorocarbon leader for best performance.
Inexpensive braided lines are usually not abrasion-resistant.
It can be pricey depending on selected brands.

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Select the type of water you usually fish in:

Fresh
Salt

Conclusion

Choosing the right line for trout fishing can’t be overstated. It’s an integral element of your rig and needs to be chosen based on where you’re fishing, how you’re fishing, the type of trout you’re targeting, and water conditions. Once you do that, you’re well on your way to enjoying the scenery surrounding many trout fishing locations and accomplishing what you ultimately set out to do: Catch fish.

FAQ Section

What weight/test line should I use for trout?

Whether you choose fluorocarbon, monofilament, or braided line, the best line weight for most trout fishing is 2-6 lbs. test. Catching a rainbow, brown, brook, or cutthroat trout weighing over a few pounds is rare. However, you must adjust your line strength to target larger lake trout. (Note: When in doubt, adjust your drag accordingly).

Is braided line good for trout fishing?

Yes, it offers durability and strength along with superior casting ability. Additionally, its thinness allows more of the line to be held on a spool. It is, however, visible to fish, so it’s best used in murky or muddy water.

What is the best fishing line for lake trout?

Most anglers targeting lake trout look to either 10-20 lbs. test monofilament or 30-40 lbs. test braid (especially when trolling).

What is the best line for rainbow and brown trout?

Most anglers lean toward fluorocarbon lines, given their virtual invisibility to brown and rainbow trout (which spook easily) and their ability to sink faster. Additionally, the consensus is that casts are easier than fluorocarbon lines.

Does line color matter?

Despite claims by line manufacturers, there is no clear advantage to fishing with colored lines. Stick with neutral or natural colors for most trout fishing applications. (Note: If sight or bottom fishing, colored lines could be effective).

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Pierce Latta

16 years fishing experience

As I’ve gotten older, fishing for trout has become something I do more and more often as opposed to my earlier years in fishing. Trout can oftentimes be quite finicky, and you must have the right tackle and techniques to get the job done — that is exactly what this article is talking about. The line you choose to put on your reel for trout fishing can make or break the day depending on the choices you make.

Now let’s be clear before we start. Here, we are specifically talking about line for spinning or casting reels — we are not talking about fly line because that is a whole different ball game.

The article starts with a brief introduction talking about the importance of choosing the right line to fish based on the species and class of trout you are targeting. This is very wise advice but can sometimes be overlooked. If you’re fishing in a smaller stream with small rainbow trout, you probably shouldn’t be using 30 lb braid. Trout will see it and be far less likely to bite. In the same way, if you’re fishing for 30 lb lake trout, don’t show up with a 4 lb line because it will get broken off.

The article then moves into a discussion of the things you want to consider when choosing a line. Of this list provided, the biggest thing from my own experience would be to focus on visibility and not using heavier line than you should be. Trout are already picky enough, so you don’t want to use too heavy of a line. It is perfectly okay to use a lighter line for smaller fish. Additionally, like the author said, if you have the right technique, you can still land bigger trout on these smaller, less visible lines.

The second part of this discussion is about the type of line that you choose. In general, I almost always fish braid across all the different kinds of fishing that I do. However, in the case of trout, I would almost never go braid — especially if you’re trying to fish moving water. You may be able to get away with braid on a lake or pond, but it’s far less likely on a stream or river. Braid can get wind-knotted and tied up super easily. Additionally, its presentation just doesn’t look as clean as monofilament or fluorocarbon.

Now, like the article mentions, mono and fluoro are both good options, but it really just depends on preference or budget. If, for example, you are fishing something with a topwater presentation, I would go with mono since it floats more. If you want to be as stealthy as possible and don’t care about the float of the line, then fluoro is the way to go because it is almost invisible in water. Again, this is very much up to preference and what you are wanting to do with your bait.

In general, if you are a beginner angler for trout, I would almost always recommend a monofilament line. It has the forgiveness and stretch that fluoro doesn’t offer as much of, which can save you from pulling hooks out of the trout’s soft mouth.

I hope you guys enjoyed reading this article and these comments, and as always, good luck and tight lines!

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