Which lure colour should I pick?

Silver and natural colours in clear water and bright light, copper or gold when the water is stained or the sky is overcast, and bright colours in muddy water. At first light and dusk a dark silhouette often beats a shiny lure, because the fish sees it against the light from above.

Does lure colour actually matter?

Less than most people think. Contrast against the background and how the lure moves usually matter more than the colour itself. Colour is worth changing once you know fish are there and not taking, not as the first thing you swap.

Which colour works in stained water?

Copper, gold and strong colours such as orange, red and chartreuse. Stained water lets less light through, so a lure with a faint flash disappears. You are looking for something the fish can see from further off, not something subtle.

Lure colour guide

Pick a colour for the conditions

Pick time of day, light, water clarity and species, and we suggest lure and fly colours. Experience-based rules of thumb, not gospel.

Right now

Updates automatically from your location and weather.

Time of day

Light

Water clarity

Species

Wind

Water temperature

SilverBest
Reflects sunlight and imitates baitfish, strongest in clear, sunlit water.
Try: Mepps Aglia silver, Blue Fox silver
Silver/blue
A natural baitfish imitation in clear water and good light.
Try: Blue Fox blue/silver
Natural/holographic
Discreet and believable, effective at first light and dusk when fish are active.
Try: Holographic plug, Natural nymph
Gold
A warm glow that shows up well in overcast weather and stained water.
Try: Mepps Aglia gold, Gold spoon

Which lure colour suits the water and the light?

Silver is the first choice in clear water and sun, but at first light and dusk copper is a first choice in any water.

The table shows the first choice for trout in calm weather and normal water temperature, and colours in the same cell rank equal. Morning and evening count as an overcast midday when the sun is out, and as dusk when it is not.

Lure colour by water clarity and light, for trout in calm weather and normal water temperature
Water	Midday sun	Overcast midday	First light, dusk and night
Clear water	Silver	Silver, silver/blue, natural/holographic, gold	Natural/holographic, copper, black
Stained water	Silver, gold	Gold	Copper
Murky water	Fire tiger, chartreuse	Gold, fire tiger, chartreuse	Copper, black

Common questions

Which lure colour should I pick?: Silver and natural colours in clear water and bright light, copper or gold when the water is stained or the sky is overcast, and bright colours in muddy water. At first light and dusk a dark silhouette often beats a shiny lure, because the fish sees it against the light from above. Pick a colour for your conditions
Does lure colour actually matter?: Less than most people think. Contrast against the background and how the lure moves usually matter more than the colour itself. Colour is worth changing once you know fish are there and not taking, not as the first thing you swap.
Which colour works in stained water?: Copper, gold and strong colours such as orange, red and chartreuse. Stained water lets less light through, so a lure with a faint flash disappears. You are looking for something the fish can see from further off, not something subtle.