Trout Stocking Opinion

[Murdoc]

I've been thinking about restocking trout in a stream that at one time had trout in it. It's a small stream that runs into Stockton lake. There was a CCC project that dumped into this stream. The project at this location was building good sized lakes that were spring fed and were perfect for trout. The trout inturn got into this stream and survived many years. I used to fish this stream and have caught many trout some up to 4lbs. I saw one that would have gone at least 8lbs one time. This was all in the mid 80's that I saw and caught these fish. I waded this stream a couple years ago and there wasn't anything in the stream at all. It looked like there was a kill of some kind. I wanted to ask true fishermen their opinon on whether I should start putting some fish back into this stream? Thanks!!

[Brian Sloss]

Not clear here. Do you own this little stream? If not, then no, you will surely be breaking the law. If it is public, then contact the MDC. They will be happy to talk to you about it. They would love to have more trout water to manage and would probably study the idea. If it is feasable they probably will do it. My 2 cents.

[Danoinark]

Sure is an interesting concept though. I would suspect there are Mo laws against introducing a species to a creek because of the dangers of disease being introduced and effecting the natural inhabitants. I would sure contact MDC and tell them about it and see if they would be willing to stock to try to build it back up as before. Great idea Murdoc.

Dano

[Murdoc]

The thing is that it wouldn't be introducing and new species. I would be restocking. I'm not talking about putting in 100's of trout either. I mean a limit every once in a while. I don't think the creek could support a large number of trout. I would also be afraid that there would be the old problem of people loading up their freezers also like they do down at Jolley Mill south of Monett. I'll probley never get to try it but it sure would be fun to have one big secret close by!! Thanks guys!!

[Danoinark]

it but it sure would be fun to have one big secret close by!!

Ain't that the truth. I still think you should approach MDC about it. They might be willing for you to do an experiment. Dano

[Trav]

My ex's family have a few ponds that are 100 percent stocked with fish legally caught from thier local lakes and rivers. No signs of disease.

Over the decades they have managed to have some of the healthiest populations of fish I have ever seen. Bluegills that will go a pound a piece, Bass ranging from 3 to 10 pounds and cats as big as 30 pounds each.

I give the credit to thier success to all the bluegill put in by all the kids each summer. They bring them in by the bucket loads every weekend.

[jdmidwest]

Stocking of ponds with legal caught fish from other locations is a good practice. We have a pond on the farm that has been stocked with Bluegills and Channel Cats from the feed store and Largemouth Bass from creeks and other ponds. I was fishing it a few years back and caught a nice Crappie, 18". Then I caught another, and another till I release about 20 of them. Come to find out, a lady we used to let fish for the catfish had dumped 8 of the Crappie in a few years back. They really took hold and prospered.

I read a while back that the MDC had a goal of adding x-amt of new fishable trout waters by some date. If it is a stream that has had trout in the past and still meets the habitat requirements to sustain a population, they may start stocking it again. As for stocking it yourself, the trout are a non-native fish to MO. and stocking it in a public stream may be a violation. Transporting trout from another location that you have legally caught would probably not survive the journey. Of course, if it were not for trains passing thru MO in early times stocking fish, we may not have even had a trout program or trout in streams.

[outdoorman]

Murdoc

the first thing i would do is check with MDC.if thay say ok then i would check the water to make sure it would be safe for the fish if there fish in it and there not in it now. Something in the water might of killed them off.