Suitability of stocked brown trout and rainbow trout for trophy management in Apalachia Reservoir

Fisheries Research Fact Sheet Suitability of Stocked Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout for Trophy Management in Apalachia Reservoir November 2018 The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) conducted experimental trout stockings from 2012-2016 in Apalachia Reservoir to determine the best size and species of trout to create a trophy trout fishery. Apalachia Reservoir is an 1,100-acre impoundment in Cherokee County that contains trout habitat year-round due to the cold, oxygenated water discharged from Hiwassee Dam. Blueback Herring, a nonna¬ tive shad introduced illegally into the Hiwassee River water¬ shed that has caused unwanted impacts to mountain fisheries, are abundant in Apalachia Reservoir and provide forage for stocked trout. These conditions are favorable for establishing a trout fishery, and they even have the possibility of produc¬ ing trophy trout. Such a fishery on Apalachia Reservoir would increase the diversity and abundance of trout fishing opportu¬ nities in western North Carolina. Project Objectives: • Determine the optimal size and species of trout to stock in Apalachia Reservoir to create a trophy-trout (>20 inches) fishery. Apalachia Reservoir is located in Cherokee County District 9 Fisheries Biologist 1 Amanda Bushon holds a trophy-sized brown trout from Apalachia Reservoir (Photo: NCWRC) Methods: • Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout were reared to two target sizes: 10 inches (small) and 14 inches (large). • All trout were stocked in December 2012-2015. • Survival, growth, diet and condition of trout were assessed through annual fall gill-net and spring electrofishing collections. • An angler creel survey was conducted from Dec. 1, 2014 through Nov. 30, 2015 to determine the return of stocked trout to the angler creel. District 9 Fisheries Biologist Powell Wheeler holds two trophy-sized brown trout from Apalachia Reservoir (Photo: NCWRC) N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission Inland Fisheries Division www. ncwildlife.org