Rainbows In Table Rock?

[Phil Lilley]

I kiddingly asked Shane Bush about stocking rainbows in Table Rock and he gave me a serious answer. I apologized because I wasn't seriously saying they should... but he took the time to answer- and said I could post his answer.

I thought it had some interesting information in it -

There are definitely some nice rainbow trout in Table Rock. I’m sure you are aware of the habitat and temperature requirements for trout. Table Rock, while it obviously supports some survival of trout, does not provide optimal conditions for trout which is one of the reasons they have not been stocked there in the past. Secondly, MDC manages large reservoirs for the native sport fish populations in them, while at the same time providing a (usually just one) “bonus” fishery with another species. For Table Rock, it’s paddlefish, Stockton is walleye, Pomme is musky, you get the drift. The cost of growing these bonus fish is not cheap. On average, the cost per paddlefish is about $5. Musky are even higher at $11.75. Both rainbow and brown trout cost about $2/fish to grow out to 10”. Currently, our hatcheries are at capacity for the number of trout they raise that are already stocked in Missouri waters. If you combine these factors with the very low angling pressure that rainbow trout receive in reservoirs, it is not cost efficient to stock them in our reservoirs.

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission stocked rainbow trout into Bull Shoals for years. This is the first year they are NOT stocking them for many of the reasons listed above. I emailed the biologist for Bull Shoals in Arkansas and his response is below:

“Trout stocking in Bull Shoals Lake was very popular in the 80’s and 90’s. After that time, the popularity of trout fishing has decreased. There was very limited trout fishery after the access to the dam was closed off post 9/11. This will be the first year that no trout will be stocked in Bull Shoals Lake. Even the dock owners raising the trout for us did not want to stock them anymore. We felt like the cost of growing and stockings trout into the lake was more than the fishing benefits provided to a small group of anglers.”

There are plenty of sources of trout in the tributaries feeding Table Rock, both private and public, that allow for one to escape into the lake and be caught on occasion. However, I believe that very few survive in the conditions present in Table Rock Lake during the summer.

Thanks for your question,

Shane Bush
Fisheries Management Biologist
Missouri Department of Conservation

[bs1827]

Interesting. I guess I didn't realize that each reservoir usually only receives one "bonus" fishery. I guess I always figured walleye were native to the Sac river system, therefore they were considered to be natives in Stockton. I didn't realize that was Stockton's bonus fish.

[Ham]

Not stocking Rainbows in Bull Shoals anymore ??? But what will the walleye eat now?

[Bill Babler]

Not stocking Rainbows in Bull Shoals anymore ??? But what will the walleye eat now?

The ones that spill over powersite dam as usual

[Phil Lilley]

Don't really understand your question. Are you saying recent renovations would increase the number of fish produced so where are the extra trout being stocked?

I could ask where all the trout are stocked in the state from all the hatcheries.

[Alex Heitman]

I just find it weird that there was lots of reports of trout being caught in the dam area last year and some in the dead heat of summer. For them to swim from the roaring river or beaver tailwater is just hard to see happening. That is quite a swim for a fish. Just makes me wonder if people have put them in there on purpose or the hatchery guys aren't telling you something. That was one heck of a rainbow posted a month or so ago caught in table rock.

[motoman]

I just find it weird that there was lots of reports of trout being caught in the dam area last year and some in the dead heat of summer. For them to swim from the roaring river or beaver tailwater is just hard to see happening. That is quite a swim for a fish. Just makes me wonder if people have put them in there on purpose or the hatchery guys aren't telling you something. That was one heck of a rainbow posted a month or so ago caught in table rock.

-

I'm with you Alex; I was thinking some people put them in on purpose.

[tapout]

I caught an 18 inch rainbow trout on a 5inch grub near indian point on Febuary 5th. First one I've caught on tablerock. Of course the water temp was 44 degrees so conducive enough this time of year.

[merc1997 Bo]

how about raising some bass and crappie and stocking them in table rock??

bo

[dtrs5kprs]

If the water coming out of the dam is cold enough for the trout in Taney it should be cold enough for any trout in the lake. Oxygen would then be the variable in their survival, correct?

Does not explain how they got in. Seems like any little ones coming in randomly would end up as bass or walleye snacks.