South Carolina DNR Stocks Trout by Helicopter in Lower Saluda River
November 24, 2008 · Email This Post · Print This Article
The S.C. Department of Natural Resources’ Freshwater Fisheries Section stocked about 17,000 brown and rainbow trout in the Lower Saluda River Nov. 19 using a helicopter and specialized lift bucket. The stocking benefits South Carolina’s $18 million trout fishery.
This year’s trout stocking is a cooperative effort between DNR and the State Law Enforcement Division with SLED providing the pilots and helicopter for the aerial stocking.
Helicopter stocking allows the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to better distribute trout up and down the river system and prevents the concentration of fish in any particular area. This will allow the fish more time to acclimate and disperse before anglers begin trying to catch them. The SLED aircraft also allows the DNR to be more selective in the type of habitat where the fish are stocked.The helicopter stocked brown trout (averaging about 6 inches) and rainbow trout (averaging about 9-10 inches) over some 9 miles of the Saluda River. The trout came from the Walhalla State Fish Hatchery in Oconee County, operated by the DNR. The trout are transported by truck to a site near the river. The fish are kept in water and transferred to the lift bucket attached to the helicopter. The chopper then pulls away and carries the fish to the river.
The Saluda River below Lake Murray dam is unique because its popular trout fishery is essentially an artificial situation, according to DNR biologists. Trout must be stocked there and can survive only because of the cold-water releases from the bottom of the Lake Murray dam. The DNR normally stocks more than 30,000 trout each year in the Saluda from November through April in what it calls a “put, grow and take” fishery.
Annual stocking is necessary to maintain the trout populations, and anglers play an important role as well. Young trout grow rapidly if allowed to remain in the river. For young trout to reach their potential, they must not be removed from the river immediately after stocking. If given time to grow, they can reach up to 16 inches, considered trophy size for this type of fishery. If trout are to reach this size, anglers must practice catch-and-release fishing, especially during the winter and early spring. Conservation officers with the DNR will be patrolling the Saluda River in the winter and spring to hold down the number of over-the-limit trout catches. The daily limit is five fish from the Saluda River between the Lake Murray dam and the confluence of the Broad River.
South Carolina’s trout fishery generates more than $9 million annually for the state’s economy in direct retail sales, with a total economic output of more than $18 million, according to a study on the economic benefits of freshwater fishing in South Carolina. The effects of trout fishing can be felt in many segments of Upstate and Midlands communities, from motels and restaurants to gas stations, local bait and tackle shops and sporting goods stores.
The South Carolina DNR stocks more than 400,000 trout into public waters in the state’s Upcountry each year. The trout are stocked in more than 50 cold-water rivers and streams in Greenville, Pickens and Oconee counties, in Lake Jocassee, and in the cool tailwaters below the Lake Hartwell and Lake Murray dams.
The Sport Fish Restoration program and fishing license revenue helped fund the Saluda River trout stocking. The Sport Fish Restoration program is a major funding source for South Carolina’s freshwater fisheries’ program, and it represents the return of excise taxes collected from the sale of fishing tackle. Funds are allocated to states based on their relative size and the number of licensed anglers.
DNR protects and manages South Carolina’s natural resources by making wise and balanced decisions for the benefit of the state’s natural resources and its people.
Lower Saluda River Helicopter Trout Stocking Video(Click PLAY Button To View Video)
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Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Lake Jocassee Trout Stocking to Close Devils Fork Remote Ramps
Lake Jocassee Trout Stocking to Close Devils Fork Remote Ramps
December 17, 2008 · Email This Post · Print This Article
Devils Fork State Park will again temporarily close the two remote day-use boat ramps this winter in conjunction with trout stocking efforts on Lake Jocassee.
In cooperation with the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR), these remote boat ramps will be closed to public access once fish stocking efforts begin in November or early December. From the time fish stocking begins in November through Dec. 31, both the Roundhouse Point and Devils Fork boat ramps within Devils Fork State Park will be closed until Jan. 31, 2009.
Rainbow and brown trout survive and grow well in the cold deep waters of Lake Jocassee, but they cannot successfully spawn in the lake. The DNR annually releases trout raised at the Walhalla State Fish Hatchery into Lake Jocassee to maintain the popular fishery. Due to trout requiring colder temperatures for their survival, the best months for the restocking of trout varies from November through early December, when water surface temperatures reach about 65 degrees.
To help ensure greater survival rates for newly released trout, Devils Fork will restrict access to the remote day use boat ramp locations. By not fishing for the new populations of sub-legal size trout that have been released, the trout populations will have more time to become acclimated to the lake environment and disperse. State Parks and DNR hope to reduce the mortality rate of the newly released sub-legal trout by eliminating the stress of being caught and released.
‘We hope that everyone will understand and cooperate with our efforts to improve the population of trout found within Lake Jocassee,” said Jim Stanton, assistant park manager at Devils Fork State Park. “Your commitment to stewardship will hopefully translate into healthier numbers of trout in Lake Jocassee in coming years.”
The boat ramps located at the Devils Fork State Park’s main boat ramp and parking area will remain open during this time for all boat traffic and guests to Lake Jocassee. If you have any questions pertaining to activities and/or access within Devils Fork State Park, contact the Devils Fork State Park office at (864) 944-2639 for more information.
South Carolina’s trout fishery generates more than $9 million annually for the state’s economy in direct retail sales, with a total economic output of more than $18 million, according to a study on the economic benefits of freshwater fishing in South Carolina. The effects of trout fishing can be felt in many segments of Upstate and Midlands communities, from motels and restaurants to gas stations, local bait and tackle shops and sporting goods stores.
The South Carolina DNR stocks more than 400,000 trout into public waters in the state’s Upcountry each year. The trout are stocked in more than 50 cold-water rivers and streams in Greenville, Pickens and Oconee counties, in Lake Jocassee, and in the cool tailwaters below the Lake Hartwell and Lake Murray dams. Anglers can keep up with a weekly trout stocking summary.
DNR protects and manages South Carolina’s natural resources by making wise and balanced decisions for the benefit of the state’s natural resources and its people.
December 17, 2008 · Email This Post · Print This Article
Devils Fork State Park will again temporarily close the two remote day-use boat ramps this winter in conjunction with trout stocking efforts on Lake Jocassee.
In cooperation with the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR), these remote boat ramps will be closed to public access once fish stocking efforts begin in November or early December. From the time fish stocking begins in November through Dec. 31, both the Roundhouse Point and Devils Fork boat ramps within Devils Fork State Park will be closed until Jan. 31, 2009.
Rainbow and brown trout survive and grow well in the cold deep waters of Lake Jocassee, but they cannot successfully spawn in the lake. The DNR annually releases trout raised at the Walhalla State Fish Hatchery into Lake Jocassee to maintain the popular fishery. Due to trout requiring colder temperatures for their survival, the best months for the restocking of trout varies from November through early December, when water surface temperatures reach about 65 degrees.
To help ensure greater survival rates for newly released trout, Devils Fork will restrict access to the remote day use boat ramp locations. By not fishing for the new populations of sub-legal size trout that have been released, the trout populations will have more time to become acclimated to the lake environment and disperse. State Parks and DNR hope to reduce the mortality rate of the newly released sub-legal trout by eliminating the stress of being caught and released.
‘We hope that everyone will understand and cooperate with our efforts to improve the population of trout found within Lake Jocassee,” said Jim Stanton, assistant park manager at Devils Fork State Park. “Your commitment to stewardship will hopefully translate into healthier numbers of trout in Lake Jocassee in coming years.”
The boat ramps located at the Devils Fork State Park’s main boat ramp and parking area will remain open during this time for all boat traffic and guests to Lake Jocassee. If you have any questions pertaining to activities and/or access within Devils Fork State Park, contact the Devils Fork State Park office at (864) 944-2639 for more information.
South Carolina’s trout fishery generates more than $9 million annually for the state’s economy in direct retail sales, with a total economic output of more than $18 million, according to a study on the economic benefits of freshwater fishing in South Carolina. The effects of trout fishing can be felt in many segments of Upstate and Midlands communities, from motels and restaurants to gas stations, local bait and tackle shops and sporting goods stores.
The South Carolina DNR stocks more than 400,000 trout into public waters in the state’s Upcountry each year. The trout are stocked in more than 50 cold-water rivers and streams in Greenville, Pickens and Oconee counties, in Lake Jocassee, and in the cool tailwaters below the Lake Hartwell and Lake Murray dams. Anglers can keep up with a weekly trout stocking summary.
DNR protects and manages South Carolina’s natural resources by making wise and balanced decisions for the benefit of the state’s natural resources and its people.
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