Put and Take Rainbow Trout

[ronaultmtd]

Maryland DNR has been stocking local ponds and lakes with pre-season “put and take” Rainbow Trout... fished twice for them in local stocked lake...it maybe my “old” memory but the fish seem a lot smaller than last year’s fish..I am not a fan of eating these fish, so I release them so you can catch them- the one’s I am getting average 11 inches...even on 4# test UL spinning tackle I feel like I am overpowering these tiny fish...the challenge is getting them to hit the lure; not the fight...like catching sunfish or bluegills...which I think both are a much better tasting eating fish...use a net to land them as trout have paper thin mouths...

[thedutchtouch]

I've heard stories of "back in the day" trout of 14-16 inches plus, however 11-12 inches seems about normal for the last 3-4 years from what I've seen in my local ponds.