There is a good population of native rainbows, brown trout, and at least two separate and distinct self-sustaining strains of kokanee salmon in Trinity. Trout fishing begins picking up in April with the clearing of the water. Trolling the main channel of the lake with Triple Teasers, Needlefish, Rapala's and other minnow-imitating lures often produces fish. Top action for bank-fishermen and still-fishermen can be found using nightcrawlers and Power Bait at the mouth of Swift Creek, Stuarts Fork, the east fork of the Trinity River, and other tributaries. The major tributaries (Stuarts Fork, East Fork of Stuarts Fork, East Fork of the Trinity River, Swift Creek, and the Trinity River itself) provide excellent spawning habitat for the trout and kokanee. The kokanee run in several streams, but especially notably are the fall runs up the main Trinity River. The kokanee can be tough to catch while they're spawning but the trout that follow the kokanee to feed on their eggs can be fooled with Power Bait or salmon eggs fished below the spawning kokanee.

In the winter months, fishing conditions can deteriorate due to muddy water. Fish can occasionally be found at the mouths of rivers leading into the lake at this time.

Trinity is well known for its large smallmouth bass. Early in the year, the fish hold deep and anglers use chartreuse, black grubs, or crickets in the deep water to entice fish. Longer days and warming weather, bring the bass into semi-shallow shelves and stump beds where anglers have better success. When the largemouth move in during the spawn, fish around the willows that flourish around the shoreline. Many fish are also caught right in front of the marina. The shallow parts of the lake are surrounded mostly open shoreline and warm up quicker than other parts of the lake. The comfortable water and abundant cover make the habitat very good for largemouth bass. Crickets are probably the favorite smallmouth bait used at Trinity.

You'll find catfish action in most of the coves. Fish the creek mouths in 8 to 10 feet of water where the ripple ends. Running water is sometimes the key. Try chicken livers, clams, night-crawlers, or minnows on a slip sinker.