Golden trout spawning at Story Hatchery provides unique fishing opportunities
The golden trout spawning program at Story Fish Hatchery is unique in that it is the only fish hatchery in the nation that maintains a genetically pure population of golden trout for egg collection purposes. Fish maintained at fish hatcheries for egg collection are referred to as captive brood stock.
About ten years ago when the idea of trying to establish a captive golden trout brood stock was being discussed, all those involved in the discussion knew it was going to be a difficult task to accomplish. Difficult because it had never been done before; a few other fish hatcheries had tried it, but none were successful.
So, why have golden trout? In Wyoming golden trout are a unique species found only in remote high mountain lakes that usually require hiking a considerable distance to access the waters. Many anglers will travel great distances just to get to the trailhead where the long hike begins. Spending time in the high country attempting to catch one of these elusive fish is a very enjoyable challenge for most anglers.
The employees at the Story Hatchery knew their cold water supply, which closely matches the requirements of golden trout, had the best chance of maintaining a captive brood stock. In 2007, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department obtained eggs from a genetically pure wild population of golden trout from the State of Montana. The eggs were taken to an isolation facility at the Boulder Rearing Station for hatching and rearing. The isolation facility reared the fish for about eight months until a full disease screening could be completed. After passing all disease free requirements, the fish were then transferred to Story and in two years the fish had grown to become mature adults. The first step in establishing a captive brood stock had been taken.
Over 46,000 eggs were collected from 147 two year old females in 2009, the first year in which eggs were collected from the captive golden trout. In 2011, 119,000 eggs were collected from 383 three and four year old females. In 2014, 261,000 eggs were collected from 447 three, four and five year old females. These successes proved it could be done; golden trout could be maintained at a fish hatchery and successfully spawned.
A sufficient number of eggs were collected in 2011 to meet the entire fish stocking request for the high mountain lake stocking of Wyoming’s waters in 2012. This was the first time in 17 years an adequate number of three inch long, pure golden trout had been available for alpine lakes stocking. Also, in 2012, surplus eggs were shipped to Idaho, Utah, and Washington for their high mountain fish stocking program.
This year, surplus eggs not needed in Wyoming will be shipped to other states such as Idaho, Washington, Utah, Colorado and California as part of a reciprocal trade agreement. In return for these eggs, the state of Wyoming receives assistance in tiger trout production from Idaho and, kokanee salmon eggs from Colorado; similar reciprocal agreements are set up with other states receiving the surplus eggs.
Currently, the annual in-state stocking requests for golden trout range from approximately 30,000 to 45,000 three inch fish.
About ten years ago when the idea of trying to establish a captive golden trout brood stock was being discussed, all those involved in the discussion knew it was going to be a difficult task to accomplish. Difficult because it had never been done before; a few other fish hatcheries had tried it, but none were successful.
So, why have golden trout? In Wyoming golden trout are a unique species found only in remote high mountain lakes that usually require hiking a considerable distance to access the waters. Many anglers will travel great distances just to get to the trailhead where the long hike begins. Spending time in the high country attempting to catch one of these elusive fish is a very enjoyable challenge for most anglers.
The employees at the Story Hatchery knew their cold water supply, which closely matches the requirements of golden trout, had the best chance of maintaining a captive brood stock. In 2007, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department obtained eggs from a genetically pure wild population of golden trout from the State of Montana. The eggs were taken to an isolation facility at the Boulder Rearing Station for hatching and rearing. The isolation facility reared the fish for about eight months until a full disease screening could be completed. After passing all disease free requirements, the fish were then transferred to Story and in two years the fish had grown to become mature adults. The first step in establishing a captive brood stock had been taken.
Over 46,000 eggs were collected from 147 two year old females in 2009, the first year in which eggs were collected from the captive golden trout. In 2011, 119,000 eggs were collected from 383 three and four year old females. In 2014, 261,000 eggs were collected from 447 three, four and five year old females. These successes proved it could be done; golden trout could be maintained at a fish hatchery and successfully spawned.
A sufficient number of eggs were collected in 2011 to meet the entire fish stocking request for the high mountain lake stocking of Wyoming’s waters in 2012. This was the first time in 17 years an adequate number of three inch long, pure golden trout had been available for alpine lakes stocking. Also, in 2012, surplus eggs were shipped to Idaho, Utah, and Washington for their high mountain fish stocking program.
This year, surplus eggs not needed in Wyoming will be shipped to other states such as Idaho, Washington, Utah, Colorado and California as part of a reciprocal trade agreement. In return for these eggs, the state of Wyoming receives assistance in tiger trout production from Idaho and, kokanee salmon eggs from Colorado; similar reciprocal agreements are set up with other states receiving the surplus eggs.
Currently, the annual in-state stocking requests for golden trout range from approximately 30,000 to 45,000 three inch fish.
Contact: Bud Stewart (307-672-7418
