Closings For Trout Stocking???

[catfishonthelake]

Does anyone have any info on closings for trout stocking? I know that some lakes are getting trout that normally don't and in the past the stay has kept some waters open (Hopat, RVR, Farrington) that get trout but make it catch and release only. I'd like to know if Mercer is going to be closed for stocking since it doesn't normally get trout. Anyone have any idea? Also, does Carnegie get trout?

[UglyStick]

Nowhere does it specifically say about the 1 time added waterways receiving spring trout being closed but I believe any water receiving trout (with the normal posted exceptions) will be closed to fishing for all species from March 17 to April 5 at 8 a.m. the way the regulations are written. This was also my understanding from the F&W meeting on 3/8/14 so assume they will be closed. I do not see Carnegie getting any trout on the latest list I have. They will be posting all the waterways with the normal signs next week.

[catfishonthelake]

Thanks Jim. That's a bit of a bummer. I was hoping they wouldn't close Mercer, it was the one place I had a shot of getting the boat onto before April. Maybe Carnegie will ice out in a couple of week and I can try there. Haven't heard any rave reviews on the musky fishing there, but I'm willing to give it a shot if I have no other options. I think the northern lakes at the higher elevation will have ice until April.

[Treble Hook Jim]

I doubt they will close mercer or Farrington. Usual MO is catch and release only for trout from closing till opening day at 8am.

[catfishonthelake]

Originally Posted by Treble Hook Jim

I doubt they will close mercer or Farrington. Usual MO is catch and release only for trout from closing till opening day at 8am.

That would be nice. I know in the past that when stocked Farrington (think it was dropped last year), it was one of the lakes that remained open but was C&R. If anyone finds out for sure, let me know.

[UglyStick]

I reached out to F&W asking what the regs are for the 1 time stocking waterbodies and this is their reply:

"I believe that because the waters are not usually trout stocked, and are not listed in the Fish Code, fishing will remain open but trout regulations apply which means any trout caught during the pre-season closure period must be immediately released. Information will be posted on our website soon."

Sounds like we still need to wait to confirm the final answer...