As far as trout fishing goes what do you think the best offering is I was over in Eastern Washington doing some hunting and fishing this past weekend. At Fio Rito Lake the game dept dumped in a bunch of brood stock, which I couldn't get to bite. Tried bait and lures. Some other fisherman did get some using lures. Got me to thinking, what is the best approach, bait or lures in cold weather. I would think bait because of slowing metabolism. I did catch some trout the day before over in the basin at a creek using lures.

What is the best choice for trout in cold weather, below 30?

I aint got a clue was told on American Lake bait works very well for winter trout though

find the warmest water...find the fish.

Probably because the brood stock were just planted they hung around where they were dumped in. They were rising all over in one small area, 50 yards away no luck, really amazing.

As Zen says in cold weather time anywhere water is slightly warmer you'll find fish. With planters you never know

sometimes the warmest water is on the bottom. Water is heaviest at 39 degrees Farenheit and when a lake is close to freezing over the surface temps are around 33 degrees. The closer to the bottom the warmer the water gets.

Water gets lighter when it's either warmer or colder than 39 degrees.

When just dumped, flies. Like you said, all rising in one area, high in the column. They're used to picking pellets of the surface, so just about any dry works usually. And dont think that means you have to flyfish. Use a casting bubble, works great.

to add to that... A size 10-12 brown\tan hairs ear nymph can = a pellet or a natural meal. You win either way....

Went back to the scene of the crime, 2 weeks after they were dumped in. Fish were rising all over the lake, not just in one area. Tried lots of small lures only had one bump. then went to bait on the bottom, had a few playing with it but no hookups. Was fun just watching big fish rising and watching the sunrise, fly fishing isn't really my bag but for others could be amazing. Go over and try Fio Rito near Ellensburg, big plants.

Did do good on bagging some pheasants and quail so had a great time.

Good Luck