When Does A Stocker Trout....

[Greg]

I've thought about this too. Good question Chief.

My take is that by the strict definition of "wild" it would never be a wild trout. BUT in my opinion after a few weeks or months (not sure on the timeframe there) these trout become very like true wild trout. Most or all of the trout on the upper current are stocked but I consider them pretty darned wary. Feral trout is a pretty accurate term IMHO.

Some may disagree but after spending a week in Colorado this year fishing for wild trout I just didn't find these trout any harder to catch, any more beautiful, or more hard fighting than our stocked trout (the exception being recently stocked fish at the trout parks and Taneycomo).

Mr. Farris - that is really funny!!

Greg

[DaddyO]

Good topic, Chief.

The original question was: "How long does a stocker trout have to live in the "wild" before it is considered wild?"

The answer is in the question. A "stocker trout" is not a "wild trout". So, it would never be considered wild.

I do like the term "Feral Trout" and I consider the stocker to become feral when they lose the silver bullet look and develop their color, fins and feral behavior. However, I don't know how long it takes for that to happen.

Regardless of the look, I do enjoy catching them and I am thankful of the hatchery programs that are in place that allows me to continue to enjoy this way of life.

[laker67]

Its never a wild fish....but it can become what I call a feral trout...kinda like a domestic hog that gets loose, reverts to its native insticts and survives. Figure it takes about 6 months to a year or more for them to regain enough color and regrow their stubby fins to the point that they will resemble a wild fish. Cheers.

I think that you have just come up with a new "ozarkapedia" term. Terry can add that one to his book.

[Phil Lilley]

Good discussion. And everyone agrees!!

Couple of thoughts come to mind.

The meat of a freshly stocked rainbow is white. When it's been in the lake and eaten natural food for a while, it turns orange. I get that question alot here at the resort.

When you think of a wild rainbow, you think of what...

- hard to catch

- crafty

- spooky

- fight hard

- have all fins

- colorful or at least pristine

When a stocked trout gains most or all of these attributes, it could be called wild by some anglers but it can never be truly wild because it wasn't born in the wild.

[ness]

It seems to me the point is: what differences exist between a native, non-native stream-bred and stocked fish. My opinion is that there are just too many variables in the mix to make a single generalization. So, my recommendation is to not worry about it.

[ColdWaterFshr]

Yup.

We've all had days where we wake up feeling quite feral, only to stumble into the bathroom, look in the mirror and see a pasty white stocker with nubby little arms staring back at us. Even on days when I'm sure I've gone completely native, been eating right/working out, I'll go and do something like order a xtra large pepperoni from Papa Johns, dunk the crust in that little jar of liquified margarine they send with it, and watch re-runs of Gilligans Island.

If I were to be caught and filleted at some resort . . . first of all I don't think I'd fight that hard, secondly, it would be on some bait like lemon-merengue powerbait nuggets, and thirdly, ah he11, I'm way off topic.

[laker67]

Missouri hatcheries maintain broodstock from several different stains of wild trout. Most are from the missouri strain of trout which in itself originates from the original Mccloud broodstock of the 1880's. Therefore I say that "all" have wild DNA roots. From crane creek fish to RR hatchery raised fish. Even triploid fish originate from the wild trout egg. Survival in the creeks and their attempted spawing routine stems from their wild instincts. That's my take on it Chief. How about yours?

[Terry Beeson]

Ya'll are all nutz and don't know nuthin'... a trout becomes wild the second he is put into the wild stream...

OK... OK... OK.... I'm just bein' my typical self.... Dang, Phil... you knew I'd have to do it...

Whut? You expected me to be serious?

Well, in that case... I totally agree ... there is no such thing as a stocker trout turned wild... unless she flashes her pectorals at me...

[bigredbirdfan]

Before I ask this question let me say that I learned my lesson. I have taken my beating and name calling and am going on. As Phil said if you are going to post here, you gotta have thick skin.

Question; How long does a stocker trout have to live in the "wild" before it is considered wild? Is it once it stops eating its daily tofu pellet diet? A few days? Weeks? Never?

I can see and probably agree with all opinions in some form.

I am going to sit this one out though, so I would really like to hear all of your opinions.

Never.

Come on you shouldn't take a beating on a simple topic like this...it ain't healthcare or nothing.

[ozark trout fisher]

Yeah, I don't think they can ever be truly wild. But they can begin to act almost totally wild I think, so I its not a big deal to me... A trout stocked a year ago in the Eleven Point is the same to me as a wild trout in the Little Piney. Just my take.