Stocker trout

[RUGER]

I have a theory based on my experience from fishing for trout in the lake at Martin.
These fish are born, raised then released to give people like me that can't fish rivers for trout a chance to catch, keep and eat them.

They never see a river.

Is it possible that they are fed while growing twice a day in the hatchery?
Furthermore, is it possible that these fish have "learned" to eat twice a day and not very much at all in between these times?

My reason to ask is, from what I have seen when I go there if the trout are rolling on the surface and / or jumping out of the water I am gonna catch them.
If there is no sign of them being there, I normally don't catch squat.
In addition it seems that early in the morning and late in the day is when I catch them quickly.
This leads me to think they maybe they are used to eating twice a day and not in between.

Just something I thought of this morning.

 

[CATCHDAWG]

I wouldn't think so. I see the same thing in the rivers over here where there is a mix of both wild and stocked. I think they are just like other fish, when they're feeding they're feeding and when they're not, they're not. Of course I've been wrong once! Lol

 

[moondawg]

Stocked fish get released in rivers too. I don't know about TN, but I know they get released in Arkansas rivers.

 

[catman529]

I've had them turn on and off at random times in the harpeth river. Fresh stocked but no noticeable feeding schedule...sometimes they're on and sometimes they're off


Sent from the talk of tap

 

[tasaman]

All it takes is missing a few meals when the afore mentioned dinner time comes and they will abandon the notion rather quick I suppose. Get it when you see it becomes a good idea. Also the slow fish didn't get as much at the hatchery either I bet. Feeding naturally occurs best in morning and afternoon where I've fished anyways so the schedule coincides with a natural pattern anyways.

 

[feather&fly]

If the trout are rolling at the surface or jumping they are feeding. There is some hatch happening, even if you don't see it.

 

[RUGER]

If the trout are rolling at the surface or jumping they are feeding. There is some hatch happening, even if you don't see it.

Just out of curiosity, what would they be feeding on, from a hatch standpoint, in January in a small lake / big pond?

In West TN.

Just wondering.

 

[feather&fly]

Some sort of midge probably.

 

[RUGER]

Cool.
Thanks.

 

[catman529]

I didn't know water bugs hatched in 20 degree weather


Sent from the talk of tap

 

[tasaman]

Hatches happen year round. Some bugs only at certain times of the year but others happen at random times. Some bugs only in the coldest months.

 

[7mm08]

Midges. Tiny mosquito like insects. The rolling activity is that they are taking them just under the surface