Buck, etc.,
Thanks for the passing on your observations. It goes without saying that anytime recently stocked trout are reported dead, we take it to heart. That being said, please keep in mind that the state hatcheries stock ~350,000 trout prior to the Opening Day of trout season. By now, hopefully everyone on this site and around the state is aware that the trout fishing Opening Day has been moved up one week this year, to the second Saturday in April (i.e., April 11, 2015). It is important to keep in mind that this new opener brings increased pressure on the Inland Fisheries Division to try do our best and still get those 350K fish stocked out for OD, but now in one week’s less time. Given the extremely thick ice conditions and snow depth on lakes, frozen rivers and streams, intensely cold temperatures in early March, and below normal average temps. throughout March, I’m sure it comes as no surprise to regulars on this site, that stocking conditions this year have been unprecedented in regards to increased difficulty. Despite all of these setbacks and reduced staffing at our hatcheries, DEEP staff has done an absolutely incredible feat of “getting the job done”! For the record, the location in question, where the reported dead trout have been observed, was stocked several times over that last month, with the two most recent stockings this past Thurs. and Fri (April 2 and 3). At that time the open water along the shoreline extended out for approximately 200 feet. This should have allowed plenty of open and oxygenated water and opportunity for the fish to move out into deeper water. Our best guess is that if any problems did occur, it was most likely from an earlier stocking on 3/19. At that time the lake level was considerably lower and there was only a very small area of open water along the edge, in this area of the lake. Staff in charge of the stocking that day made the decision to stock and it appeared that the fish were in good condition (alive and swimming) when the stocking was completed. However, recent sightings and hindsight would suggest that this may not have been the case. This is unfortunate and all of us here at the DEEP Inland Fisheries Div. take these incidents seriously. That being said, only 30-40 dead trout (we have not heard if anyone observed more than this?) out of a total of 350K successfully stocked, would be considered a great “track record” by any and all accounts.

Again, it is unfortunate and we are sorry to hear that some of our hard earned, hatchery raised trout will not be available for anglers to catch and or harvest come Opening Day of trout fishing. However, Candlewood Lake has been successfully stocked with approximately 10,000 trout for Opening Day of 2015, despite the worst conditions many of us have observed in over 30 years.