Cost-effectiveness of stocking community ponds with two different sizes of hatchery catchable Rainbow Trout.

The article focuses on evaluating the cost-effectiveness of stocking community fishing ponds in southwestern Idaho with hatchery-reared Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) at two target sizes: standards (254 mm total length) and magnums (305 mm total length). Results from tagging and angler reports indicated that while larger magnums had a higher overall catch rate (45.0%) than standards (34.5%), at any given length, standards were 37% more likely to be caught, possibly due to dominance hierarchies in rearing raceways. Feed costs were 55% higher for magnums, and when combined with catch data, the feed cost per fish caught was slightly lower for standards ($0.93) than magnums ($1.11). The study concludes that fisheries managers should balance the higher rearing costs of larger trout against angler preferences for larger fish to optimize stocking strategies in put-and-take community ponds.