FINS LAKES Trout Stockings

I know this is a 'Crappie' board, but need to know if anyone has an update on the fall trout stocking in the FINS lakes. I checked, and looks like they say there is a 'DELAY' due to a fish die-off at the hatchery. Most lakes are supposed to be stocked in October and November this year(this is what is posted at the Lakes). Can't find any info on any update on the 'Delay'. So, if anyone knows or has seen some fall stockings of any of the FINS lakes in October, November, this year let me know. The stockings this fall/winter may not happen, but it would be nice to know.
Thanks, Jim

This is from a week ago :

There will be a temporary delay in trout stockings scheduled for November. The delay is due to current poor conditions at the hatchery and a shortage of fish ready to stock because of the combination of a fish kill at the hatchery last year and reduced growth rates from having to crowd fish during the installation of a new aeration system. Trout stocked in Kentucky are provided exclusively by Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery, which is operated by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Rainbow trout will be stocked as scheduled through November 15th.

Thursday, November 15th

• Jacobson Park Lake, Fayette County — 3,000
• Big Bone Creek, Boone County — 400
• Middleton Mills Park Shelterhouse Pond, Kenton County — 500
• Middleton Mills Park Long Pond, Kenton County — 500
• Prisoner’s Lake, Kenton County — 1,000
• Southgate Lake, Campbell County — 500
• Cannon Creek Lake, Bell County — 3,000
• Clear Creek, Bell County — 450
• Kingdom Come Lake, Harlan County — 1,000

crappiepappy, thanks for the info. These look like they are stocking some this fall. I can't find the stocking schedule, but here in Scott County, it will probably be December. Looks like about a month delay from the normal schedule.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by perchjerker108

crappiepappy, thanks for the info. These look like they are stocking some this fall. I can't find the stocking schedule, but here in Scott County, it will probably be December. Looks like about a month delay from the normal schedule.

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Yeah, I've got three FINs lakes close to me, but only the Jacobson Park location got fish. One location is such a small body of water I don't know why they even bother putting any trout in it. Been trying to get to Jacobson Park to fish for them, but clinic appts and busted water heater have gotten in the way since the stocking on the 15th.

Oddly enough, I've caught almost as many on pieces of chicken liver as I have on pieces of nightcrawler or Berkley Nibbles. Tried canned corn kernels, but Bluegill won't leave them alone long enough for a trout to find it. :Rofl Now, I wouldn't mind if they were some "full grown" Hybrid Bluegill, like has been stocked, but in most cases it's just the 3-4" variety. :Doh:

CrappiePappy, there are two FINS lakes here in Georgetown, about 1/4 mile from each other. I'm guessing they will do their 500 fish/lake stocking in December. If not, it would FEB/MARCH next year. On the bait, I use Berkley GULP! Yellow. The container has Corn/Mais, 1.5 oz printed on it. It looks just like corn, but a lot tougher. They must have been feeding the trout with something like this. Have had a pile of luck with this bait, on or near bottom in the two FIN lakes here. Hope you find time get out and get some trout.

I'm ready to catch a few up here in Northern Kentucky. Mason & Fleming county both have a FINS lake.

Looks like they have stocked the lakes here in my area.

kycreek, thanks for the update, I don't think anything stocked here at the lakes in Georgetown as of December 3rd. Should be soon I hope. Have some time off in December, so like to get out and try them. The lakes here have been pretty much fished out for cats and decent panfish. I know it's a put and take thing with the FINS lakes, but waiting for some more 'put'.

Check this site : KDFWR Fish Stockings in 2018 - Google My Maps

crappiepappy, thanks, so, 1000 trout stocked so far this year which means they have NOT stocked this fall. This is what I got from the information.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by perchjerker108

crappiepappy, thanks, so, 1000 trout stocked so far this year which means they have NOT stocked this fall. This is what I got from the information.

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Assuming their "fiscal year" is Jan-Dec .... you're probably right. If/when they get inventories back up at the hatchery, one would assume they'd get some Trout into those FINs lakes that were not previously stocked, first .... then add to the previously stocked lakes with whatever they had left.

I knew they stocked FINs lakes with hatchery raised Rainbows, Hybrid Bluegill, and Channel Catfish .... but, had not heard anything about these "Hybrid Catfish" that are listed (as seen in the stocking list for Jacobson Park, Lexington ... or your Scott Co. Park lake). :scratchhead

CrappiePappy, On the 'hybrid' catfish. I know they stock Channels and sometimes some "Blues". So, maybe the Blues are the Hybrids.

They stock channels here in the Mason County area.

Well I emailed the KDFWR and asked for an explanation on the "Hybrid Catfish" being stocked in FINs lakes, and here's the reply :

The hybrid catfish are a cross between a female channel catfish and male blue catfish. Pfeiffer Fish Hatchery, the state run hatchery in Frankfort produces all of the catfish for the FINs program (1-lb average 123,000 annually). They have been producing the hybrid catfish since 2014, with about 50% of the catfish stockings at FINs lakes now being split between channel catfish and the hybrid catfish in a typical year. The hybrid catfish have several benefits over straight channel catfish. The feed conversion is better, the fish grow more uniformly, and the hybrids are more disease resistant. They are also easier to seine when the hatchery harvests the ponds. The hybrid catfish are only stocked in FINs lakes. The private aquaculture industry has been using them for a number of years for human consumption due to the aforementioned benefits. Several other states are also starting to utilize hybrid catfish for stocking in urban impoundments.

Dane Balsman
Fisheries Program Coordinator - Urban Fisheries
Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources

CrappiePappy, many thanks for the update on the 'Hybird' Catfish. I much prefer the 'Blue' cat over the Channel. Did not fish last year for the cats in the FIN lakes here, but may try it this year. FYI, Looks like they have stocked the two FIN lakes here in Georgetown with trout.