Watts Area Stocking?

[fishncrazy]

What time of the Day do they normaly Stock the Watts Area? Anybody Know?or Where I can find out?

[DaddyO]

I don't know that they, specifically, stock the Watts Area. This is the Link to the stocking schedule: click here

However, my understanding is that the Watts Area is just one of the places they stock. I believe that, in addition to the Watts Area, they stock at Marval and below the dam in the cove area.

Also, I believe that the water conditions have to be just right or they will hold off and add those stockings on the next scheduled day.

[fishncrazy]

Thanks,I have the Stocking Schedule.But thought maybe somebody has seen them in action,wanted to get a look at what size they are putting in.I'm Off work this week, wanted to make the most of it.I'm from the Fort Smith Area.

[DaddyO]

Regarding size of stocked fish, I spoke with the Biologist over the Lower Illinois Trout Stocking Program. He said that the average size of stocked trout is 11 inches. It will vary between 9 and 13 inches. They will stock both Brown and Rainbow trout, but it is, predominantly, Rainbow. The Browns are harder to get. Most of the fish will come from the hatchery by the Norfork river in Arkansas with some of them coming from the hatchery in Greers Ferry on the Little Red river. When they have more money in the budget, they purchase larger fish from the Crystal Lake Hatchery.

They also work trades to get Brown trout. They have sometimes traded Striper and Walleye for brown trout.

I hope that helps.

[Danimal]

Regarding size of stocked fish, I spoke with the Biologist over the Lower Illinois Trout Stocking Program. He said that the average size of stocked trout is 11 inches. It will vary between 9 and 13 inches. They will stock both Brown and Rainbow trout, but it is, predominantly, Rainbow. The Browns are harder to get. Most of the fish will come from the hatchery by the Norfork river in Arkansas with some of them coming from the hatchery in Greers Ferry on the Little Red river. When they have more money in the budget, they purchase larger fish from the Crystal Lake Hatchery.

They also work trades to get Brown trout. They have sometimes traded Striper and Walleye for brown trout.

I hope that helps.

Did he happen to say what size the browns are when stocked? I caught (and released) a 16 incher Christmas day in the riffle upstream of the stocking tube. I am wondering how long it's been in the river. Dan-o

[DaddyO]

Dan-O,

I believe that he said the average size brown was 9 to 10 inches. I think that I read, once, where browns grow at a faster rate than rainbows do. I would say 16 inches is a good sized brown for this river. You didn't say, but I'd guess he was long and slim and hadn't yet put on a lot of girth?

[fishncrazy]

Yeah,Thanks a Bunch! I caught a 20 inch rainbow back in may,at the upper corner by the big rock at the Watts area.

As much pressure as this area has,I can't believe it was able to grow from 12" to 20" without being Eat.

Sorry fellows, but I eat that one!Also so heard from others about 20 plus inchers being caught.(Rainbows)

That's what all the Questions stem from. Thanks Again for all of your Info.

[Guest]

Please don't eat the fish!! If you are hungry, save your bait money and buy a hamburger.

[DaddyO]

Please don't eat the fish!! If you are hungry, save your bait money and buy a hamburger.

Please don't take offense, but, let's not start that debate in this forum. Personally, I don't eat very much fish. However, my wife and kids, occasionally, ask me to bring home fish. So, occasionally, I do. I harvest "pan size" fish and release the large fish that I catch for those occasions.

Whether or not we want people to keep the fish, they are entitled to do as they wish. My request would be that the larger fish be properly revived and released to improve our fishery. However, I'm sure that the Stripers will get their fill before we even come close to putting a dent in the population.

[Danimal]

Dan-O,

I believe that he said the average size brown was 9 to 10 inches. I think that I read, once, where browns grow at a faster rate than rainbows do. I would say 16 inches is a good sized brown for this river. You didn't say, but I'd guess he was long and slim and hadn't yet put on a lot of girth?

She actually had a bit of a belly on her (like me). I guessed her weight to be about 2 pounds. I've caught a few over there, but none over about 12 inches. She hammered a #18 soft hackle (gray) on my second cast of the day. I was pleasantly surprised. Dan-o