Could Federal Hatcheries Be In Peril

[kevthebassman]

"The Topic That Shall Not Be Mentioned!" I love it OB!

[Justin Spencer]

I hate to play devils advocate here, but if we are serious about balancing the budget this seems to be a place where some money can be saved. I think this example just shows how difficult it can be for those in Washington to try and balance a budget without upsetting anyone. Every program has people that rely on federal money to keep them going. This is just one example, and I'm sure the conservatives support a cut in these programs as they are opposed to most non-vital governmental programs such as this. I hope they don't close the hatcheries, but if they did I think it would be possible to privatize them and still have good fisheries below the dams. It would take regulation changes and resort prices would have to rise in order to help fund the stockings, but I am not opposed to having the people that use the resource being the major players in paying for it, including myself.

[flytyer57]

I hope they don't close the hatcheries, but if they did I think it would be possible to privatize them and still have good fisheries below the dams.

If some had their way, government itself would be privatized.

[Trout Commander]

Let's not go there.

Just saying.

[ozark trout fisher]

Haven't read all the posts but most.

I think the law DOES say the FEDS have to provide coldwater species of fish for those tailwaters that lost their warmwater status. Probably not the proper way to put it but it gets my point across.

I've heard about that too. But if things keep going the way they are, more vital things than federal hatchery trout are going to have to be cut...Whether or not the federal government "has to" provide the trout.

Mainly, if it comes to cutting hatchery budgets, I hope they cut the stocking of non-native trout before they cut the production of more ecologically important species such as the ones Outside Bend mentioned. We absolutely cannot stop the the restoration of endangered and threatened native species, but if worse comes to worst we can do without hatchery trout, or at least so many of them.

It's a bad position to be in for sure. But didn't we all kind of see this type of thing coming? I know we all love our non-native trout (look at my screen name) but we have to look at the big picture. And the native species just seem a heck of a lot more important to me.

[bigredbirdfan]

I think the President said before the superbowl that 8 out of every 10 dollars going to entitlements, cutting everything else the governement spends won't really solve the long term problems but may actually create some if we aren't careful. I think these cuts would be problematic. That being said everyone wants a smaller goverment they just are willing to give up what they get to have it.

[flytyer57]

...everyone wants a smaller goverment they just are willing to give up what they get to have it.

BINGO! ! ! !

[Tim Smith]

...everyone wants a smaller goverment they just aren't(?) willing to give up what they get to have it.

Is that what you meant here? If so, I agree.

I could support privitizing the hatcheries, but any move like that would need significant oversight from the state or federal DNRs. There are way too many nimrods out there that don't have a clue about the damage you can do by playing God with fish stocking. At least the feds try their best to do careful science. Letting any old bozo churn out fish to stick any and everywhere they want with only the bottom line in mind could wreak havoc on a Biblical scale....think Asian carp....or worse.

I hope that the other option does get serious attention too though. Native fisheries are the soul of fishing and both sides of the aisle should be able to support a low cost, sustainable, environmentally friendly resource like that.

[ozark trout fisher]

Native fisheries are the soul of fishing and both sides of the aisle should be able to support a low cost, sustainable, environmentally friendly resource like that.

Amen to that.

No matter what happens to the trout stocking around here, we always will have smallmouth, sunfish, catfish, and plenty of other species to fish for. I have been guilty of being something of a close-minded trout purist in the past, but with more time spent on some of our amazing native fisheries here in the Ozarks I have been cured of that-and now would venture to say I prefer native species such as smallmouth bass and goggle-eye to non-native trout-for the simple reason that they are native, and truly belong here. That's not to say I don't still have a soft spot for trout, but it has allowed me to be able to see that they are not necessary for the Ozarks to be one of the most unique fishing destinations in the world. That is why the possible cuts/closures of federal hatcheries isn't worrying me that much-so long as it does not affect the re-introduction/restoration of threatened or endangered native species.

[Danoinark]

Here is a link to a rather lengthy article in the Heber Springs, AR newspaper chocked full of statistics that you might be interested in.

http://www.thesuntimes.com/newsnow/x253217255/Nat-l-budget-could-affect-local-tourism