The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries plans to complete this week the stocking of adult-size Rainbow Trout at 17 community ponds across the state.
Joshua Porter, who is a fisheries outreach biologist, says they stock ponds with rainbow trout, where anglers can fish along the bank.
“This is a new species. It’s unique. It really brings out a lot of people who are maybe not breaking out the rod and reel that time of year,” Porter said.
LDWF stocks rainbow trout during the winter months when water temperatures are cool enough for them to thrive. Porter says rainbow trout are native to rivers and lakes of western North America, their popularity as a sport fish has led to stocking programs across the country
“The big draw is that it’s something different. That’s definitely the biggest excitement we get from anglers,” Porter noted.
Porter says anglers are encouraged to keep their catch, as the trout are meant to be harvested before temperatures begin to rise.
“Rainbow trout are non-native to Louisiana. There are concerns that we’re introducing quote invasive species, but they’re not invasive. They’re just non-native. These farm trout are not going to reproduce,” Porter explained.
Go to LDWF’s Get out & Fish! Facebook page for more information and you can also find this information on LDWF’s main website, just search for “Get Out & Fish!”