04-05-2011, 11:10 AM
Bay State anglers with cabin fever and their 2011 freshwater fishing license can look forward to over 529,800 feisty brook, brown, rainbow and tiger trout being stocked this spring. These are sizeable fish; 71% of the fish average 12 inches or longer. "We have some high quality fish this spring," observes Chief Fish Culturist Dr. Ken Simmons. "We had to deal with severe drought conditions last summer and early fall resulting in reduced water flows at two hatcheries. The prolonged, severe snow and ice conditions from this winter were also a challenge at all our facilities, but the hatchery crews did an excellent job with the fish."
Stocking in some parts of the state began in late March with optimal water chemistry and other conditions allowing the 2-ton tank trucks access to waterways. Stocking statewide will begin the first week of April. "We'll be putting out 217,000 rainbow trout that will average 14 inches or longer, and 86,000 more rainbows will range from 9-13 inches," observes Chief Fish Culturist Dr. Ken Simmons. "They'll be distributed statewide throughout the stocking season by our five regional Wildlife District staff." More than 51,400 brown trout in the 12-inch category will be stocked along with another 92,000 browns in the 6 - 12 inch range. The larger water bodies will receive the larger fish and the smaller brooks and streams will receive the majority of the smaller-sized fish. Brook trout will be stocked in a similar fashion with approximately 51,000 fish measuring 9-12 inches, and more than 26,400 at a foot or more. Simmons noted that this year's crop of 2-year old brook trout production was the highest in years. Anglers can also anticipate trying to tame some of the 6,000 tiger trout to be released, all topping the 14-inch mark. These handsome fish, a cross between a female brown trout and a male brook trout, have become popular with folks lucky enough to hook and land one.
For a listing of trout stocked waters or details on weekly trout stocking activities, go to www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/recreation/fishing/trout/trout_stocking_schedule.htm or call the nearest DFW District office: Western-Dalton (413) 684-1646; Valley-Belchertown (413) 323-7632; Central-West Boylston (508) 835-3607; Northeast-Ayer (978) 772-2145; or Southeast-Bourne (508) 759-3406. Want to learn how to fish? Fishing festivals in April and May offer an opportunity for new anglers of any age to get "hooked" on fishing-see this link for the most recently posted free fishing events for families: www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/education/aep/aep_calendar.htm. More free fishing events will be posted throughout the spring.
Stocking in some parts of the state began in late March with optimal water chemistry and other conditions allowing the 2-ton tank trucks access to waterways. Stocking statewide will begin the first week of April. "We'll be putting out 217,000 rainbow trout that will average 14 inches or longer, and 86,000 more rainbows will range from 9-13 inches," observes Chief Fish Culturist Dr. Ken Simmons. "They'll be distributed statewide throughout the stocking season by our five regional Wildlife District staff." More than 51,400 brown trout in the 12-inch category will be stocked along with another 92,000 browns in the 6 - 12 inch range. The larger water bodies will receive the larger fish and the smaller brooks and streams will receive the majority of the smaller-sized fish. Brook trout will be stocked in a similar fashion with approximately 51,000 fish measuring 9-12 inches, and more than 26,400 at a foot or more. Simmons noted that this year's crop of 2-year old brook trout production was the highest in years. Anglers can also anticipate trying to tame some of the 6,000 tiger trout to be released, all topping the 14-inch mark. These handsome fish, a cross between a female brown trout and a male brook trout, have become popular with folks lucky enough to hook and land one.
For a listing of trout stocked waters or details on weekly trout stocking activities, go to www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/recreation/fishing/trout/trout_stocking_schedule.htm or call the nearest DFW District office: Western-Dalton (413) 684-1646; Valley-Belchertown (413) 323-7632; Central-West Boylston (508) 835-3607; Northeast-Ayer (978) 772-2145; or Southeast-Bourne (508) 759-3406. Want to learn how to fish? Fishing festivals in April and May offer an opportunity for new anglers of any age to get "hooked" on fishing-see this link for the most recently posted free fishing events for families: www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/education/aep/aep_calendar.htm. More free fishing events will be posted throughout the spring.