Big Blue Stocked With Rainbow Trout

[Phil Lilley]

Big Blue stocked with rainbow trout

By DICK JOHNSON, dick.johnson@globegazette.com

MASON CITY — Anglers started calling the Iowa Department of Natural Resources a week ago.

When, they wanted to know, will the rainbow trout be stocked in Big Blue pond?

One hoped it was Tuesday as he would be out of town Wednesday.

Well, Wednesday was the day. Big Blue was stocked with 1,500 rainbows, from 10 to 12 inches long.

An army of anglers knew it. They were waiting when the DNR truck backed up to the water’s edge.

Trout were flopping on the shore within minutes.

“Wouldn’t miss it,” said Paul Buren of Mason City as he removed the hook from a good-sized keeper. “I took some time out to shop, came out and caught a few fish. Besides, it’s a nice day.”

“Every year when we bring the fish, you’ll see people line the banks,” said Scott Grummer, fisheries biologist with the DNR in Clear Lake. “People are expecting it and they enjoy the opportunity in Mason City.”

It was the first of three stockings set for this fall and winter on Big Blue. The others will take place just before Christmas and in mid-to-late January, depending on adequate ice cover.

Some 4,500 half-pound trout from the DNR hatchery in Decorah will be released overall.

Grummer said one goal is for anglers to harvest most of the fish.

They (the fish) probably won’t survive the hot summer months, when the water’s not as cold and there’s not enough oxygen in the deep water they like.

Another goal is to get folks out for fishing fun, including those who don’t often get out to lakes or streams.

“Having the adults introduce the kids to fishing in an urban setting is a unique experience,” Grummer said. “It’s a winter fishing opportunity.”

Anglers are reminded that, in addition to a regular fishing license, an $11 trout fee is required to fish for or possess trout.

Iowa residents under age 16 and non-residents under 14 must have a valid trout fee to fish for or possess trout or they must fish for trout with a licensed adult who has a valid trout fee and limit their combined catch to the daily limit.

The daily limit is five trout. The possession limit is 10.

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