Preheat the oven to 450.
Thinly slice half of the lemon. Juice the other half.
Smash the garlic clove and mince it up with the salt, which will release more of its juices and flavors.
Whisk and mash together the garlic, olive oil, and lemon juice. If you have a mortar & pestle this is a fun place to use it.
Open up the trout in a roasting pan. Rub the garlic into the flesh and rub a bit of the olive oil over the skin on both sides- especially the side that is against the pan to help it not stick. Stuff the lemon slices into the open trout and fold over. If you have any fresh herbs, stuff them in there as well.
Place in the oven for 8 minutes. Check, using a fork to flake the flesh. Continue baking for 2-6 more minutes as needed for the size of your fish.
Remove and fillet table side. To fillet, push aside the lemon slices and cut into the spine where it reaches the head, pull it out gently and firmly until the spine and bones loosen away from the cooked flesh.
Enjoy! Try the skin, if you haven’t- it is tasty, edible, and full of nutrients, too!