Brookies At Meramec Springs

[Kayser]

A couple years ago, Meramec Springs added brook trout to the hatchery in order to eliminate the copepods harming the rainbows downstream. Last I heard, they were adding more to the hatchery. I'm curious if anyone knows what is going to happen to them once they reach a stockable size- release, sell, or just let them grow fat & happy in the raceways? I know I'd love to catch some brook trout locally if possible.

[timsfly]

Straight from a hatchery employee

Right now they plan on just growing them for the time being. Not sure what the end of the line will be for them, I am on the list to notify if they decide to release a few.

[Wayne SW/MO]

In my opinion if they have already spent funds growing them then they should release them. They aren't in any danger of adding a non-native species. If I had any say in it they would release them in the winter fishing parks so that more could have the opportunity to say they caught one.

I've caught a few brookies and, well they are trout, no more no less. Kind of like the Cutts, fun to add a new species to the bucket list, but don't expect exotic.

[Quillback]

I'm trying to figure out why they would NOT release them?

[Greasy B]

What if a couple of them swam down to Blue Springs Creek and repoduced? Far fetched I know but this same what harm could it do logic resulted in the loss if countless native fisheries across the country. While I realize reporuction at this latitude is unlikely can they prove without an absolute doubt no harm will come?

A non native replacing a non native?

[Wayne SW/MO]

They have the same limitations that trout do, maybe more. I'm not sure what their spawning requirements are, but they seem to thrive in colder waters. By "they" I mean char. If they put them in the trout parks in November they will supply fishermen a new opportunity through the winter and then a meal for someone in March.

[fishinwrench]

Is this Brookie copepod control method WORKING or was this just somebodys idea of a cool thing to try, and nobody knows yet ?

[timsfly]

Is this Brookie copepod control method WORKING or was this just somebodys idea of a cool thing to try, and nobody knows yet ?

I was told it was really helping, I hope it continues to work.

They may never turn them loose, a few years ago several brook trout showed up at Roaring River, caused quite a fuss, everybody was really worried that they were carrying disease. I know the brookies are safe, but from what I've seen working around Roaring River, I doubt they will ever stock them, but I hope they do stock them someday.

[Flysmallie]

Be kind of cool if they made one of the parks a brook park. It would give us something different.

[fishinwrench]

Brook trout and concrete should never co-exist.