Missing pectoral fins

[Fish Bork]

Been catching a lot of rainbows missing one pectoral fin, I'm guessing they are grinding them off in the raceways?

[Phil Lilley]

Yes that would be it

[fishinwrench]

I think the hatchery folks do that sometimes to mark fish (one side or the other), but they claim they never have. 

I found it kinda odd that every rainbow of a certain size that I caught one year had the same missing fin, so I called BS.... and got attacked on here for ever doubting them.    

My point was that fins are kinda important to a fish, so you shouldn't be cutting them off just so you can identify which stocking batch they came from. 

[Gavin]

Rear pectoral fin? Biologists will clip the adipose, & left or right rear pectoral and tail fin to ID fish. Don't think they clip the front pectorals. They will grow back if not clipped too close.

[bkbying89]

On 8/19/2017 at 5:47 PM, fishinwrench said:

I think the hatchery folks do that sometimes to mark fish (one side or the other), but they claim they never have. 

I found it kinda odd that every rainbow of a certain size that I caught one year had the same missing fin, so I called BS.... and got attacked on here for ever doubting them.    

My point was that fins are kinda important to a fish, so you shouldn't be cutting them off just so you can identify which stocking batch they came from. 

Ahh! Conspiracy theories. It's gotten real up in here. 

[fishinwrench]

26 minutes ago, bkbying89 said:

Ahh! Conspiracy theories. It's gotten real up in here. 

Oh I'm full of them, don't get me started. 😀

[snagged in outlet 3]

24 minutes ago, fishinwrench said:

Oh I'm full of them, don't get me started. 😀

Understatement of the year 

[MoCarp]

peck fins get eaten off in crowded runways as well....they can grow back, fin clipping is done but not peck fins because they can grow back

anymore freezer burn marks on the fishes back fast and clean

I think they did on Stockton back in to 90's looking at the viability of increased stocking

[fishinwrench]

I've heard that if you remove a trout or catfish's adipose fin then the fish looses it's homing capability (can't find it's way around anymore).  

Any truth to that?

[BilletHead]

6 hours ago, fishinwrench said:

I've heard that if you remove a trout or catfish's adipose fin then the fish looses it's homing capability (can't find it's way around anymore).  

Any truth to that?

        I know every time Mrs. BilletHead shaves my head I run into things. Got the scars to prove it. So maybe this is proof Wrench . 

BilletHead