We are now accepting orders for trout through Monday, September 18, 2023.  Also look under bass and minnow program.

2023 Bass Trout Minnow Order Form

NYS DEC Fish Stocking Permit Application

Fall Trout Stocking Program – Overview

If you are interested in stocking your pond with trout, the District will be accepting orders through September 18, 2023. Orders can be placed by completing the order form, which can be found at the link above, and mailing it to the District at the address on the order form. The NYS DEC Fish Stocking Permit application must be filled out and sent to the NYS DEC to the address listed on the permit. You can also find the address in the information below under Fish Stocking Permit.

Trout Pond Stocking Information

Water Temperature

Trout should be stocked in cold-water ponds. These ponds are those whose surface water temperature seldom, if ever, rises above 72° F. Survival of trout in ponds is influenced more by maximum summer water temperature than by any other factor. Although pond trout can withstand water temperatures as high as 80° F. for periods of one or two days, prolonged periods of water temperature above 74° F. will cause trout to die. For trout, it is important that bottom water in the ponds remain cool.

If a pond has a permanent supply of spring water—that is, if there is some water running out of the ponds at all times—and the pond has a maximum depth of at least 8 ft., then it is practically certain to support trout in almost any year. Many ponds, fed entirely by runoff water from the surrounding watershed are excellent trout producers, although trout survival in these ponds may be poor in unusually hot summers. In ponds fed entirely by runoff water, chances of summer trout mortality are less in those located at higher elevations, in those having a maximum depth of at least 10 ft., and in those ponds that receive some shade.

Number to Stock

The most common kinds of trout stocked in this area include rainbow, brook and brown. Rainbows are the most common choice; brook trout are also favorable. In some instances, both rainbow and brook trout are stocked in the same pond for variety. Brown trout are longer lived and grow in many ponds; however, they are more cannibalistic and harder to catch than other kinds of trout.

The number of trout a pond will support, depends on it’s surface area, water quality, and size of fish. The standard fall stocking rate is 400, 4” – 6” fingerlings per surface acre. This stocking rate has resulted in 8” – 9” trout the first year. Stocking trout in the fall benefits from favorable growing conditions early the following spring. As a result, they reach “pan size” sooner.

Restocking

A pond stocked in the fall with 4” – 6” trout will contain many small but usable trout the first year. If you fish these small fish lightly, you should catch some trout weighing 1½ – 2 lbs. (15” – 16”) during the second year. Waiting another year or two for a 2 lb. trout to grow larger is not worthwhile. Trout grow slowly after they reach this size, and their death rate is high. Also, they seldom spawn in ponds. For these reasons, it is best to fish your pond hard and restock it every year or two.

How to Stock

Avoid stocking trout in water above 68° F. Before releasing fish in the pond, check the temperature of water in the transport container and the pond water at a point 6” below the surface where fish are to be released. If the temperature difference is greater than 10° F., gradually add pond water to the container over a period of 15 minutes until the temperature difference is less than 10° F. Place the can in the pond and tip it gently to its’ side so the fish can swim out. Do not pour fish into the pond!

Feeding Trout

Ponds of average fertility usually produce enough natural food to support about 100 lbs. of trout per surface acre.

You can increase the carrying capacity of your trout pond and get steadier trout growth by supplementing natural foods with commercially prepared ones. If commercial feed is used, don’t over feed! Feed only what the fish will clean up promptly. If any food remains 10 minutes after feeding, it probably will not be eaten. Decomposing food uses oxygen and may cause loss of fish. If the water in your pond is above 65° F., it is not safe to do supplemental feeding.

Fish Stocking Permit

Anyone stocking a pond with fish must apply for a fish stocking permit through the NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation, Bureau of Fisheries. There is no charge for the permit.  Complete the application and return it to the NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation, Bureau of Fisheries, 21 So. Putt Corners Road, New Paltz, NY 12561. DEC will send you a permit. A Stocking Permit is good for one year.

NYS DEC Fish Stocking Permit Application

Fish Distribution  –  Saturday, September 30, 2023

The district will be distributing the trout at the District’s pole barn behind the office at 10:00. For easier transporting of your fish, the fish will be bagged and boxed here.  There is no need to bring containers unless you would like to bring a tote in case of bag puncture.

Important: Please try to be here as close to 10:00 a.m. as possible.