After reading Fishing Through the Apocalypse, I realized some people may not be familiar with trout stocking. While technically unnatural, trout stocking is responsible for extending the range and restoring trout populations around the world. And for anglers, it provides more opportunities to catch fish.

In this guide, we’ll dive into what trout stocking is, why stocking is necessary, and how to catch stocked trout.

What is Trout Stocking?

Trout stocking is the practice of releasing hatchery-raised trout into public waterways to provide increased fishing opportunities. It’s a common management tool used by wildlife agencies to ensure that anglers have ample chances to catch trout, especially in areas where natural reproduction is limited. Trout stocking is particularly popular in streams, rivers, and lakes where the native trout populations can’t sustain the demand from anglers or the environment. 

Hatcheries are often accessible to the public and you can visit them to see the whole process happening. They’re essentially fish farms, raising fish from egg to “catchable” sized fish. 

A trout is deemed “catchable” when it reaches 10-12 inches in length, which usually takes 12-18 months at the hatchery. From there, trout are shipped to ponds, rivers, and streams and released into the water. 

I’ve been to a couple of hatcheries in my time and every angler should make an effort to see the process in action at least once. It’s strange to see large vats and pools filled with trout, but the unnatural process is ultimately a necessary one if anglers want to continue to enjoy fishing. 

Why Do Trout Need to be Stocked?

There are several reasons why trout stocking is necessary:

Habitat Degradation

Many trout habitats have been altered by human activity, such as dam construction, pollution, or deforestation. These changes can reduce the natural spawning success of trout, making stocking essential to keep populations stable.

Stocking efforts help revive and protect fish populations that have been affected by human interventions. For example, hydroelectric dams that generate energy for the state are often necessary for the greater good of the people, but affect the fish negatively. Fish are often stocked to help balance this out. The relationship between human needs and protecting natural populations of fish is a hotly debated topic that is at the forefront of many conservation groups.

Recreational Fishing

Stocking ensures that even in areas where natural populations are low, there are still plenty of fish available for anglers to catch. This helps support local economies that depend on fishing tourism.

Many popular rivers, parks, and ponds in local parks are stocked with trout to attract anglers to fish. Through this stocking (and people buying fishing licenses), the state can generate extra revenue to grow the programs while giving people opportunities to hook into trout.

Seasonal Availability

Some regions experience fluctuating water levels or temperatures that are not conducive to year-round trout survival. Stocking allows for the introduction of trout at times when conditions are optimal for fishing.

This allows anglers to target more trout during the year. One example of this is the Salt River in Arizona. Trout are stocked in the early spring and fall, giving anglers an opportunity to catch fish not only during the cooler parts of the year, but also during the hottest parts of the summer.

How Do You Tell If a Trout is Stocked or Native?

Telling the difference between stocked and native trout can be tricky, but there are a few clues to look for:

Appearance

Stocked trout often have worn or frayed fins due to their time in the hatchery, where they’re kept in close quarters. Native trout, on the other hand, usually have vibrant colors and fully intact fins.

One tell-tale sign of a hatchery fish is focusing on its anal fin, located on the belly of the fish. Stocked trout have spent most of their days cramped in a pool with hundreds of other fish, resulting in worn down anal fins. If the fin is still in-tact, it’s likely that the fish is natural.

Behavior

Stocked trout might be less wary of anglers and more likely to take a fly or bait without much hesitation. Native trout, having grown up in the wild, are often more cautious and selective.

Frankly, stocked trout have a reputation for being stupid. From experience, these “stockers” are much easier to catch relative to wild fish. Stockers don’t have the experience of differentiating real flies vs ones attached to fishing lines and are much more willing to bite, even without natural presentations. 

Location

Stocked trout are often found in more accessible, heavily fished areas, while native trout are more likely to be found in remote or less disturbed sections of water.

Basically, if you have found trout in urban areas, they’re likely stocked. Native or wild trout typically live off the beaten path, away from civilization.

Can Stocked Trout Become Wild?

Yes, stocked trout can adapt to their new environments and begin to exhibit behaviors similar to wild trout. Over time, stocked trout may develop better survival instincts, including becoming more selective feeders and finding better hiding spots. However, their ability to truly “go wild” depends on several factors, including the quality of the habitat and their ability to successfully reproduce in the wild.

When stocked trout reproduce, their offspring become “stream born” fish. These stream-born fish behave much more like wild fish and over time become indistinguishable from their truly wild cousins. As more and more fish reproduce, their offspring and the following generations become wild fish, despite their unnatural introduction.

Where are Trout Native to?

The reality is that many of our favorite trout targets are the products of hatcheries, or at least not truly native to the area. These fish were most likely put their decades ago and have reproduced naturally over time. These “stockers” have adapted to their environments so well that they are essentially “wild” fish, despite not being native to the area.

So where are trout native to? We can catch rainbow, brown, and brook trout in most areas in the US, but where did they originally come from?

Rainbow Trout Origin

Rainbow trout are native to cold-water tributaries of the Pacific Northwest all the way up to Alaska. Though native to the western region of the US and Canada, they’ve been stocked all across the United States and other parts of the world. 

Through these stocking efforts, Rainbow Trout have extended their range and have become wild, stream-born fish in places they would not have without stocking. Rainbow trout are now common in every region of the US, Europe, New Zealand, and South America. If there is cool, clear water to live in, rainbow trout have likely been stocked there. 

Brown Trout Origin

Brown trout are native to Europe, specifically the region around present-day Germany. They’ve also been found naturally in Northern Africa and Western Asia along with a natural population surrounding the Alps.

In the 1880s, brown trout were introduced in the rivers and lakes of the US and since then have been stocked extensively worldwide. Brown trout in South America (specifically the Patagonia region) and New Zeland have become major draw for international anglers.

Brook Trout Origin

Brook trout are native to eastern North America, particularly the Appalachian Mountians, Great Lakes region, and eastern Canadian provinces. They are the only trout species native to the eastern United States.

With significant stocking efforts, brook trout have been introduced to many western US states. Their populations have soared since the early 20th centuries and in some cases, have outcompeted the native cutthroat trout. This has lead to wildlife management efforts to reduce and control their populations.

Like other species of trout, brookies have been introduced in Europe and South America.

Cutthroat Trout Origin

Cutthroat trout are native to the Western US, including the Rocky Mountains, Pacific Northwest, and northern New Mexico. 

The cutthroat’s various subspecies naturally inhabit different regions of the west. Yellowstone Cutthroat are native to the (you guessed it) Yellowstone River. Lahontan cutthroats naturally thrive in Nevada while the Greenback cutthroat inhabits parts of Colorado.

Unlike the other species mentioned above, cutthroat trout have not been stocked as extensively as other species. Due to habitat loss and competition with non-native species, cutthroat populations have declined and much of the stocking efforts have been focused on restoring natural populations.

Are Wild Trout Harder to Catch?

In general, wild trout can be more challenging to catch than stocked trout. This is because wild trout have grown up in a natural environment where they’ve learned to be cautious and selective to survive. They may be more sensitive to disturbances and are often better at distinguishing between real food and artificial flies. Wild trout also tend to be more attuned to their environment, making them more likely to notice subtle changes in water flow, light, and other factors that can tip them off to an angler’s presence.

I think most anglers would agree that relative to wild trout, stocked trout are significantly easier to catch. Some experienced anglers even scoff at the idea of catching stockers, preferring to seek out natural, stream born fish instead. However, even if they are unnatural, stockers can still be very fun to target. 

How to Target Stocked Trout

If you’re aiming to catch stocked trout, here are some tips to increase your success:

Timing

Stocked trout are often most active shortly after being released, so fishing soon after a stocking event can improve your chances. Check local stocking schedules to know when and where trout will be stocked.

From experience, fishing immediately after the trout are stocked can be hit and miss. Sometimes, the fish are in a frenzy and will eat anything. Other times, it can take a few hours or even days for them to get accustomed to their new wild surroundings. Typically, I like to wait a day or two after they are stocked before I fish for them. This avoids the crowds and lets the fish settle in a little bit.

Trout stocking schedules are posted by the state. A simple Google search of “your_state trout stocking” will give you a grasp on if/when trout are being stocked in your area. 

Flies

Location

Stocked trout tend to stay close to the area where they were released, at least initially. Focus your efforts on these spots, which are often near access points or bridges where stocking trucks can easily reach the water.

Wildlife agencies often note that stocked trout typically stay within 100-200 yards of where they are stocked. Fish do spread out over time, though it’s best to target areas close to the stocking point initially. 

Presentation

Since stocked trout might be less wary, you don’t need to be as subtle with your presentation. Use slightly heavier lines and larger flies or lures, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different retrieval speeds and techniques.

Stay Mobile

If you’re not getting bites in one spot, don’t hesitate to move. Stocked trout can be spread out, so covering more water increases your chances of finding a group of fish.

By understanding the dynamics of trout stocking, you can tailor your approach to maximize your success on the water. Whether you’re targeting stocked or wild trout, each experience offers its own unique challenges and rewards. Happy fishing!

Conclusion

In conclusion, while trout stocking may seem like an unnatural intervention, it is a vital practice that sustains and enhances our fishing experiences. By understanding the reasons behind stocking, how to identify stocked versus wild trout, and effective strategies for catching them, anglers can better appreciate the complexity and importance of trout management.

Whether you’re targeting stocked or wild trout, each brings its own set of challenges and rewards. Remember, the next time you’re out on the water, the trout you catch—whether stocked or wild—are a testament to the ongoing efforts to preserve and enjoy this beloved pastime.

Happy fishing!