The Trout Management Program conducted seasonal sampling on Spring River this past week. Sampling corresponded with ongoing projects of the fishery, but was also the first time the program has sampled the river since major flooding last month.
During the flooding, both the Mammoth Spring National Fish Hatchery and Jim Hinkle Spring River State Fish Hatchery lost a large number of Rainbow Trout due to both facilities being flooded during the storms (fish escaping into the river).
Consequently, catch rates of Rainbow Trout on Spring River immensely exceeded what is typically seen on the river with 307 Rainbow Trout being collected! Staff also collected Brown Trout, Tiger Trout (escapees from Jim Hinkle), Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Walleye, and a number of sunfish species. Whether you are looking to catch numbers, sizes, or variety, Spring River has it all!
