05-31-2009, 11:11 AM
The Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife today announced that its spring 2008 trout season will begin Thursday, March 6 with the stocking of two ponds, Tidbury Pond near Dover and Blockhouse Pond in Lewes behind Beebe Medical Center.
"The trout season in these ponds begins the moment the fish hit the water," said Program Manager Craig Shirey, noting the program is "put and take," since trout are cold water fish and can only survive for a limited time until normal summer water temperatures exceed the trout's temperature limit. Fishermen usually keep what they catch, with a daily limit of six trout each.
Each pond will be stocked with approximately 550 rainbow trout, average size 11 inches and weighing about ½ pound each. Some "trophy-sized" rainbows weighing 2 pounds and measuring well over 14 inches also will be included. Stocking will be repeated Thursday, March 20 with the same number of fish in each pond.
Tidbury Pond is owned and managed by Kent County Parks and Recreation, and anglers are asked to be respectful of the vegetation and fences erected to protect landscaped areas.
Blockhouse Pond was again chosen as this year's Sussex County site, while a 10-acre former borrow pit near Greenwood is being developed into a fishing pond, pending further bank stabilization and erosion control work.
"The water quality has been monitored and is suitable for trout and other freshwater fish but the current accessibility is a major problem," Shirey said.
On 10 separate dates beginning in late March, more than 31,000 trout will be stocked in six designated trout streams in northern New Castle County: White Clay Creek, Christina Creek, Pike Creek, Beaver Run, Wilson Run and Mill Creek. All of the streams will receive a heavy stocking just prior to the April 5 season opener. Trout stocking will continue on a regular weekly basis through Thursday, May 1.
Shirey said the Division expects the same high quality fish as last year. "The trout are purchased from trout farms in neighboring states, and we've contracted with the same hatcheries as in the past. All of the fish that were delivered last year from central Pennsylvania were in really good shape and even though the cost has increased significantly, anglers should enjoy the same level of success with the same number of fish," Shirey said.
From 2005 to 2007, the cost of trout for the program remained at approximately $42,000, Shirey said, noting the Division paid $2.10 per pound of rainbow trout and $2.45 per pound of brown trout, including delivery. The bid price for the same number of pounds for 2008 increased by more than 100 percent to $93,000, with growers citing increased feed and energy costs along with impacts caused by the drought in 2007. Price per pound more than doubled, to $5 per pound for rainbow trout and $5.65 for brown trout.
Anglers wishing to try their luck are reminded that in addition to the normal fishing license requirements, they also must purchase a trout stamp, which costs $4.20 for ages 16 and older but not over 65, or a youth stamp, which costs $2.10 for boys and girls ages 12 to 15. A resident annual fishing license, which now covers fresh and tidal waters as well as crabbing and clamming, costs $8.50 for ages 16 to 65; persons under the age of 16 and residents over the age of 65 are not required to purchase fishing licenses in Delaware. Higher stamp and license prices apply to non-resident anglers.
All proceeds from trout stamps are used to purchase next year's fish. Since the price of trout is not expected to decrease in the immediate future, the Fisheries Section is hoping plenty of anglers will come out this season to help support the program, Shirey added.
To purchase a fishing license or stamps or for more information about the trout stocking schedule, visit www.fw.delaware.gov/Fisheries/Pages/Fisheries.aspx, consult the new 2008 Fishing Guide, or call the Fisheries section at 302-739-9914. Trout stocking schedules will be posted at all license dealer locations.
"The trout season in these ponds begins the moment the fish hit the water," said Program Manager Craig Shirey, noting the program is "put and take," since trout are cold water fish and can only survive for a limited time until normal summer water temperatures exceed the trout's temperature limit. Fishermen usually keep what they catch, with a daily limit of six trout each.
Each pond will be stocked with approximately 550 rainbow trout, average size 11 inches and weighing about ½ pound each. Some "trophy-sized" rainbows weighing 2 pounds and measuring well over 14 inches also will be included. Stocking will be repeated Thursday, March 20 with the same number of fish in each pond.
Tidbury Pond is owned and managed by Kent County Parks and Recreation, and anglers are asked to be respectful of the vegetation and fences erected to protect landscaped areas.
Blockhouse Pond was again chosen as this year's Sussex County site, while a 10-acre former borrow pit near Greenwood is being developed into a fishing pond, pending further bank stabilization and erosion control work.
"The water quality has been monitored and is suitable for trout and other freshwater fish but the current accessibility is a major problem," Shirey said.
On 10 separate dates beginning in late March, more than 31,000 trout will be stocked in six designated trout streams in northern New Castle County: White Clay Creek, Christina Creek, Pike Creek, Beaver Run, Wilson Run and Mill Creek. All of the streams will receive a heavy stocking just prior to the April 5 season opener. Trout stocking will continue on a regular weekly basis through Thursday, May 1.
Shirey said the Division expects the same high quality fish as last year. "The trout are purchased from trout farms in neighboring states, and we've contracted with the same hatcheries as in the past. All of the fish that were delivered last year from central Pennsylvania were in really good shape and even though the cost has increased significantly, anglers should enjoy the same level of success with the same number of fish," Shirey said.
From 2005 to 2007, the cost of trout for the program remained at approximately $42,000, Shirey said, noting the Division paid $2.10 per pound of rainbow trout and $2.45 per pound of brown trout, including delivery. The bid price for the same number of pounds for 2008 increased by more than 100 percent to $93,000, with growers citing increased feed and energy costs along with impacts caused by the drought in 2007. Price per pound more than doubled, to $5 per pound for rainbow trout and $5.65 for brown trout.
Anglers wishing to try their luck are reminded that in addition to the normal fishing license requirements, they also must purchase a trout stamp, which costs $4.20 for ages 16 and older but not over 65, or a youth stamp, which costs $2.10 for boys and girls ages 12 to 15. A resident annual fishing license, which now covers fresh and tidal waters as well as crabbing and clamming, costs $8.50 for ages 16 to 65; persons under the age of 16 and residents over the age of 65 are not required to purchase fishing licenses in Delaware. Higher stamp and license prices apply to non-resident anglers.
All proceeds from trout stamps are used to purchase next year's fish. Since the price of trout is not expected to decrease in the immediate future, the Fisheries Section is hoping plenty of anglers will come out this season to help support the program, Shirey added.
To purchase a fishing license or stamps or for more information about the trout stocking schedule, visit www.fw.delaware.gov/Fisheries/Pages/Fisheries.aspx, consult the new 2008 Fishing Guide, or call the Fisheries section at 302-739-9914. Trout stocking schedules will be posted at all license dealer locations.