Trout Stocking in Trout Stocking in DelawareDelaware

byby

Roy Miller Roy Miller Delaware Division of Fish & Delaware Division of Fish &

WildlifeWildlife

9/28/029/28/02

Delaware trout streams – New Castle County

PA

MD

MD

NJNJ

Delaware Trout Stamp Art

White Clay Creek fly fishing

Christina Creek

Upper Christina Creek

Mill Creek

Pike Creek

Beaver Run

Wilson Run

Private trout hauler at Delaware stocking site

Trophy trout stocking

Float box stocking

Delaware Trout Stocking Program

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Trout stamp revenue for Delaware trout stocking program

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$10.00

$20.00

$30.00

$40.00

$50.00

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Stream Stocking Rates & Stream Stocking Rates & CostsCosts

White Clay Creek in 2002White Clay Creek in 2002 4.03 miles of fishable water in 4.03 miles of fishable water in

designated trout stretchdesignated trout stretch Avg. width 65 ft.Avg. width 65 ft. 31.75 acres31.75 acres

Rate = 600 trout/acre, or 4,729/mileRate = 600 trout/acre, or 4,729/mile 9,550 lbs 11” rainbow, $1.70/lb9,550 lbs 11” rainbow, $1.70/lb 700 lbs trophy rainbow, $2.30/lb700 lbs trophy rainbow, $2.30/lb 1,000 lbs 11” brown, $2.40/lb1,000 lbs 11” brown, $2.40/lb Total = $20, 245Total = $20, 245

Pond Stocking RatesPond Stocking Rates

Kent County & Sussex CountiesKent County & Sussex Counties Stocked only in MarchStocked only in March 2-2 acre ponds2-2 acre ponds 903 trout (includes 8 trophy size)/pond 903 trout (includes 8 trophy size)/pond

= 451/acre= 451/acre

Pond trout fishing

Opening day on White Clay Creek

Desired result of stocking

Results of 1993 Creel Survey

Stream MilesNumber Stocked

Effort (hrs)

Percent Harvest

White Clay 4.5 18,350 24,810 83

Christina 0.8 3,155 5802 61

Mill 0.9 310 853 72

Pike 0.8 510 1,387 120

Beaver Run 0.4 1,215 990 29

Wilson Run 0.7 3,360 3,730 48

Red Clay Creek

Holdover trout from Red Clay Creek

Handicapped youth fishing day