How Many Trout Can You Keep? Limits in 5 States

In most states the default trout limit is around five fish per day, but the number that actually applies depends on the specific water you're fishing — some stocked lakes allow more, and many wild-trout and special-regulation waters allow far fewer. Always confirm the limit for your exact water in the state's current fishing regulations before you keep a fish.

Key takeaways

• A ~5-trout daily limit is the common statewide default, but exceptions are everywhere.
• Stocked put-and-take waters sometimes allow higher limits; wild waters allow fewer.
• Special-regulation and catch-and-release stretches override the statewide number.
• Limits can differ by species, water, and season — always check the specific water.
• The official state guidebook or regulations page is the only authoritative source.

How many trout can you keep per day?

The daily trout limit is set by each state and often by each water, so there's no single national number — but a limit of about five trout per day is the most common statewide default across the states we cover. That baseline is frequently modified: a specific lake, river, or season can raise or lower it, and some waters are catch-and-release only.

The rule that matters is the one printed for your water. Statewide defaults are just a starting point; the special regulations listed for individual waters take precedence, and that's where anglers most often get caught out. Look up the exact water, not just the state.

What are the trout limits in each state?

Here's the general picture for the five states we cover, as of the 2026 regulations. These are starting-point statewide defaults — individual waters very often differ, so treat each as a pointer to the official source, not the final word:

• California — a general statewide trout bag limit applies, with many waters carrying their own special limits and seasons. Confirm on CDFW's freshwater regulations.
• Washington — statewide lowland-lake trout limits apply to most stocked waters, with lake-specific exceptions. Confirm on WDFW's fishing regulations.
• New York — trout limits vary by water type and season under DEC's statewide and special regulations. Confirm on NY DEC's fishing regulations.
• Montana — limits are set by fishing district and water, so the district rules are essential. Confirm on Montana FWP's regulations.
• Utah — a statewide trout limit applies with numerous water-specific exceptions in the guidebook. Confirm in the Utah fishing guidebook.

Why do trout limits change from water to water?

Limits change because managers set them to match each fishery's goal — high harvest on put-and-take stocked waters, tight protection on wild and native trout. A heavily stocked urban pond can sustain a generous limit because the fish are replaced regularly, while a fragile wild-trout stream needs a low limit or catch-and-release to protect a self-sustaining population.

Stocked and wild trout are managed for opposite purposes, and the bag limit is one of the main tools. When you see an unusually high or low limit on a water, it's usually telling you whether the fishery runs on hatchery plants or on natural reproduction.

How do you find the exact limit for your water?

Look up your specific water in the state's current fishing regulations or guidebook, which list statewide defaults first and then special regulations by water. Start with the statewide trout section for the baseline, then search the special-regulations list for the lake or stream by name — that entry, if it exists, overrides the default.

• Get the current-year regulations — rules change annually and mid-season corrections happen.
• Find the statewide trout limit for the baseline number.
• Search the special-regulations list for your exact water — that overrides the default.
• Note species-specific and seasonal rules, which can differ from the general trout limit.
• When unsure, contact the state agency; enforcement follows the printed rule, not a guess.

Frequently asked questions

What's the most common trout limit?

A daily limit of about five trout is the most common statewide default among the states covered here, but it's frequently modified by water and season. Never assume five applies everywhere — the number printed for your specific lake or stream is what counts, and it can be higher on some stocked waters or lower on protected ones.

Do stocked trout count toward your limit?

Yes — stocked and wild trout both count toward your daily trout limit unless a specific regulation says otherwise. A few waters have special provisions, but in general a trout is a trout for bag-limit purposes. Keep only up to the limit that applies to the water you're fishing, regardless of whether the fish were planted.

Can the trout limit be different for different species?

Yes. Many states set separate limits for species like brook, brown, rainbow, lake trout, or cutthroat, and for the overall trout aggregate. A water might allow five trout total but restrict how many of one species you can keep, or protect a native species with a lower limit. Check the species rules alongside the general limit.

What happens if you keep too many trout?

Exceeding the limit is a fishing violation that can bring fines, license suspension, and confiscation of gear or fish, depending on the state and severity. Wardens enforce the printed regulation for the specific water, so ignorance of a special rule is not a defense. Checking the current regulations before you fish is the only reliable protection.

Know the rules, then find the fish. Once you've confirmed your limit, check the latest stocking reports for a water near you and plan your trip.