CONTACT:
Robert Fawcett: (603) 271-2501
Jane Vachon: (603) 271-3211
March 29, 2005
Spring Fish Stocking Information Coming Soon to Web
CONCORD, N.H. -- Fishing fanatics take note: beginning in mid-April, anglers will be able to get timely information on this spring's fish stocking season at New Hampshire Fish and Game's website (www.wildlife.state.nh.us). Streams, ponds and lakes that were stocked during the previous week will be listed.
Stocking updates will also be noted in Fish and Game's email newsletter, the N.H. Weekly Fishing Report. Available information does not include exact stocking locations or advance stocking information. A listing of previous year fish-stocking activities (2004 and 2003), including age and amount of fish per waterbody, is also available on the website, giving anglers valuable insight on annual stocking trends in the state.
The Fish and Game Department operates six fish hatcheries or fish culture facilities that annually produce a total of 200-250 tons of trout for stocking. Close to a million catchable-size fish are stocked into 263 lakes or ponds and 1,473 miles of streams. This year, stocking is starting a couple weeks later than in previous years, because snow and ice melt is keeping water temperatures too cool for the fish. Generally speaking, stocking starts in the southern part of the state and moves north as the weather warms up.
The breakdown of species for this year's stocking activity is as follows (±10%):
 | 451,800 brook trout yearlings: 257,420 to streams, 194,380 to lakes and ponds; 15,565 two-year-olds: 5,740 to streams, 9,825 to lakes and ponds; 1,610 "three-year-pluses" (surplus brood fish): 630 to streams, 980 to lakes and ponds. |
| 273,800 rainbow trout yearlings: 108,355 to streams, 165,535 to lakes and ponds. |
| 130,800 brown trout yearlings: 89,540 to streams, 41,260 to lakes and ponds. |
| About 2,000 tiger trout go into only two ponds. Tigers are a cross between a brook trout and a brown trout, and have the potential to grow to a trophy size if given the opportunity. |
N.H. Fish and Game also allows anglers to buy their fishing licenses through its website (CLICK HERE), and provides important information and publications on fishing seasons and rules, including the N.H. Freshwater Fishing Digest. Click here to sign up for Fish and Game's free email newsletter, the N.H. Weekly Fishing Report.
Hatchery operations and fish stocking in New Hampshire are made possible in part by the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Program. The program is funded by motorboat fuel taxes and excise taxes on sport-fishing equipment such as rods, reels and artificial baits. Click here for information.
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is the guardian of the state's fish, wildlife and marine resources. Fish New Hampshire and relax... we have what you're looking for.
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