The Indiana Department of Natural Resources reports that it stocked 31.9 million fish in 70 counties in 2014. In a typical year, stocking numbers usually range between 22 and 24 million fish.

The increase was due primarily to a nearly record number of walleye eggs collected by DNR biologists for hatchery production and a higher than normal survival rate of those eggs. As a result, approximately 10 million more walleye were stocked than normal.

Other species that were stocked throughout the state include bluegill, brown trout, channel catfish, largemouth bass, muskie, pike, yellow perch, crappie, grass carp, chinook salmon, coho salmon, rainbow trout, redear sunfish, hybrid sunfish, saugeye, steelhead and striped bass.

The size of the fish stocked range from fry to channel catfish and muskellunge more than a foot long. Stocking the fish helps to supplement natural reproduction or establish a species in an area where it cannot reproduce on its own.

“Fish stockings not only add value to the fishery but also give a boost to the local economy by bringing additional anglers to the area,” stated Brian Schoenung, DNR division of fish and wildlife fisheries chief.

A list of location stocked in 2014 can be found at www.in.gov/fishwild/5457.htm.

Source: Indiana DNR