Trout are aggressive biters and can be targeted using a variety of baits. However, using a bait that imitates a natural food source is best. You can find these types of baits at your local grocery store or fishing supply shop.

Whether you drift egg or roe-sac baits downstream or troll a scented marshmallow, trout respond to a range of lures.

Insects

Any trout fisherman will tell you that insects are a big part of a natural trout's diet. In fact, trout biologists do stomach surveys of brook trout and landlocked salmon during netting surveys in many stretches of water to get a closer look at what they're eating. The findings usually show that the majority of a trout's diet is comprised of aquatic insects (adults and nymphs) and fish.

Insects come in all shapes and sizes. Live earthworms, minnows, crayfish, sculpin, or shrimp are excellent natural bait choices. Prepared bait such as scented PowerBait eggs, worms, or nuggets are also effective.

By the late fall and throughout winter, grasshoppers -- especially immitation ones -- are a good choice. They're tough, hard-shelled bugs with a lot of action when retrieved. Float them downstream with a small slip float and just enough split shot to keep it down near the bottom. Trout are opportunistic feeders that will typically choose a hopper over a mayfly larva, for example.

Minnows

The diminutive minnow is a staple of freshwater baitfish. It is found in streams, rivers and to a lesser extent lakes and forms large shoals, usually consuming insects, molluscs, crustaceans and fish eggs. Its dark stripe down the flank and red bellies are distinctive. It spawns several times per year, and males develop nuptial tubercles during spawning season. They are commonly sold as feeder fish and also kept as small pets in home aquariums.

The most common method of fishing with minnows is to hook them through their lips and drift them over deeper pools where trout typically roam in search of food. Alternatively, they can be hooked through the tail and used as cut bait. When using cut bait, add a small bobber or piece of split corn to the hook. It is recommended that you use a battery-powered bait aerator in the cooler where you store your minnows to help them survive for longer periods of time.

Waxworms

While trout will eat most any bait, there are certain types of terrestrial insects that seem to be especially effective. These include grubs, crickets, ants, and beetles. These are the kinds of creatures that you might find on a farm, or even in your own backyard. They also play a big role in the natural diet of many fish species.

These worms are often available from bait shops, sporting goods stores, and gas stations that sell live bait. They are often in small containers of sawdust or dirt that must be kept refrigerated, but they are inexpensive and a great way to lure trout.

Wax worms can be used alone or added to lures and jig heads. To use them, simply thread the point of the hook into the face or tail of the worm. You can then rig the worm on a brightly colored jig head with a vertical rise-and-fall pattern to mimic a wounded baitfish.

Bait Fish

A plethora of baitfish species including minnows, worms and trout eggs are available to the angler who knows where to look. Live bait requires a bit more maintenance than lures: You have to keep it alive, keep it in the best condition possible, and make sure it's legal where you're fishing.

Some anglers prefer the scent and action of natural bait. Others find lures offer the best mix of form and function. They're easy to use, don't require much maintenance and are available at a more reasonable cost than live bait.

Bait fish are popular as trout bait because they're easily recognizable and highly nutritious. They're a staple of freshwater fishing, especially during periods of high, muddy water when trout cannot see fly patterns or other artificial lures.