NEBRASKAland Magazine is dedicated to outstanding photography and informative writing with an engaging mix of articles and photos highlighting Nebraska’s outdoor activities, parklands, wildlife, history and people.
Issue link: http://mag.outdoornebraska.gov/i/668245
74 NEBRASKAland • MAY 2016 T rout anglers across the state will now have a new quarry to hook as newly released tiger trout are thriving in Nebraska waters. These unique and beautiful trout have been raised from eggs at Rock Creek State Fish Hatchery near Parks, Nebraska, and they have been stocked at several locations with more stockings to come. Tiger trout have occurred naturally in Nebraska showing up in some of the Pine Ridge streams where both wild brook trout and brown trout are found. Once cross-bred a sterile hybrid is produced. Tiger trout have the flashy copper and golden hue of a brown trout crossed with the markings of a brook trout, resulting in a uniquely patterned and colorful fish. The first rod and reel state record tiger trout was caught from Soldier Creek in 2006 and the current record tiger trout was taken in March 2016 from Rock Creek State Recreation Area weighing 1.19-pounds and 15 1/8 inches long. Anglers will have a fight on their line with these fish, especially when they reach maximum size. The aggressive tigers are known to hit about any bait you throw at them. They could grow as large as 20 pounds – similar to brown trout – in the right conditions. "We don't know how big they will get in Nebraska," said Hal Walker, fish production manager of Rock Creek State Fish Hatchery. "We'll have to see as time goes on how they do in the different locations we've released them." Walker is enthused about the widespread opportunity for everyone to catch a tiger trout. "Tiger trout are a fish that can be caught by die-hard fly anglers or spin fishing anglers. I call them a user-friendly fish. You can throw flies, spinners or jigs at them, and they'll hit many different presentations." Making memories is one of the reasons for the addition of tiger trout in Nebraska waters. Tiger trout are not a common fish. They are more of a bucket-list fish and are typically an overlooked species by many anglers. Commission fisheries biologists thought it would be something different for Nebraska anglers to catch. Tiger Trout in Nebraska A new and uniquely beautiful species. By Julie Geiser A tiger trout is stocked at Lake Ogallala in Keith County. PHOTO BY JULIE GEISER