2006 Spring Trout Allocations

Bay State anglers can look forward to over 636,000 feisty brook, brown, rainbow and tiger trout being stocked this spring according to figures released by MassWildlife. Weather and water conditions permitting, stocking will begin the week of February 27.

“We’ll be putting out over 287,000 rainbow trout that will average over a foot long,” observes Chief Fish Culturist Dr. Ken Simmons. “They’ll be distributed statewide throughout the stocking season by our five regional Wildlife District offices.”  Another 88,000 rainbows in the 9 -11 inch class will also be stocked. 51,500 brown trout in the 12-inch class will be stocked along with over 119,000 browns in the 6 – 11 inch range. The larger water bodies will receive the larger fish with the smaller brooks and streams receiving the younger fish. Brook trout will be stocked in a similar fashion with 7,900 fish measuring a foot or better, and 77,000 in the 6 – 11 inch class. Anglers can also anticipate trying to tame some of the 5,000 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.

Stocking will begin if ice, snow and mud conditions allow the 2-ton District tank trucks access to the waterways. Anglers are advised to contact the District office for updates on when stocking will begin in the area. For details on weekly trout stocking activities visit the Fishing area of the MassWildlife website at www.MassWildlife.org or call the nearest District office: Western 413/447-9789; Valley 413/323-7632; Central 508/835-3607; Northeast 978/263-4347 or Southeast 508/759-3406. Don’t forget to Take A Kid Fishing!