Most conventional trout fishing techniques work for brown trout. Trolling large plugs is especially effective for trophy browns in large reservoirs. Browns are distinguished from rainbow and cutthroat by the relative lack of spots on the unformed caudal fin, by the typical presence of orange spots on the side, and by the orange border on the adipose fin. Brown have dark spots on a lighter background versus light spots on a darker background as found in brook trout. A hybrid between the brown trout and brook trout, called the tiger trout, is sometimes seen in Wyoming, characterized by a rather striking striped color pattern.
Rainbow trout are native to the Pacific coast and have been introduced widely to Wyoming.
Rainbow are presently the most important fish used in Wyoming s hatchery system. The rainbow, like the cutthroat, is a spring spawner. Since these two species are fairly close relatives, hybridization often occurs. Because of this, rainbow are no longer being stocked in waters containing native populations of cutthroat trout. Rainbow prefer cool, clear water, either streams or lakes, with maximum water temperatures below seventy degrees Fahrenheit.