Thousands of anglers flock to streams and community lakes in Iowa each year to fish for rainbow trout, thanks to the approximately 375,000 catchable-sized trout that are stocked annually. The journey of a rainbow trout from a broodstock to a catchable-sized fish starts about 15 months before stocking at the Manchester Fish Hatchery.
At the hatchery, broodstock trout are raised and separated by age and gender to ensure successful spawning. Female trout are anesthetized every 10 to 13 days to check for ripeness before being carefully handled to collect eggs. These eggs are fertilized and placed in incubators to develop for 30-36 days, resulting in approximately 750,000 rainbow trout eggs being hatched each year.
The resulting fry are cared for until they reach a catchable size of 11-12 inches before being stocked into streams or outdoor raceways for anglers to enjoy. The process is meticulously monitored by fisheries biologists and hatchery staff to ensure a successful hatch and stocking.
Anglers looking to enjoy trout fishing in Iowa can find more information about trout streams and fishing tips on the Iowa Department of Natural Resources website. Rainbow trout play a significant role in attracting anglers to the area, contributing to the local economy and providing recreational opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts.
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