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ROUND
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Very little, if any,
natural reproduction occurs among trout in the Saluda because of limited
spawning habitat and low dissolved oxygen during late summer and early
fall. This fishery relies on stocking and the cooperation of anglers
practicing catch-and-release for success.
CATCH-AND-RELEASE FISHING URGED ON
LOWER SALUDA given time to
grow, they can reach 8 to 16 inches. Some, called holdovers, even
survive the late-summer low-oxygen period to live until the next season.
These may reach 15 inches or more, trophy size for this type of fishery.
Increasing angler pressure on this extraordinary fishing opportunity has
created some problems with the traditional put, grow and take stocking
program. With more anglers in the river, many young trout are being
removed quickly after stocking, with no opportunity to disperse and
grow. Many anglers who are aware of this problem practice catchand-release,
especially during the winter and early spring.
Unique among trout streams in
South Carolina, the Lower Saluda River presents special challenges for
state biologists.
The Saluda is unique because its popular trout fishery is essentially an
artificial situation, according to state DNR biologists. Trout must be
stocked there and can survive only because of the coldwater releases
from the bottom of the Lake Murray Dam.
The DNR stocks more than 60,000 trout each year from November through
April in what they call a "put, grow and take" fishery, which
relies on stocking to maintain populations and the cooperation of
anglers for success. Young trout grow rapidly, up to 1 inch per month
after stocking, if allowed to remain in the river.
For the young trout to reach their potential they must not be removed
from the river immediately after stocking. If given time to grow, they
can reach 8 to 16 inches. Some, called holdovers, even survive the
late-summer low-oxygen period to live until the next season. These may
reach 15 inches or more, trophy size for this type of fishery.
Increasing angler pressure on this extraordinary fishing opportunity has
created some problems with the traditional put, grow and take stocking
program. With more anglers in the river, many young trout are being
removed quickly after stocking, with no opportunity to disperse and
grow.
Many anglers who are aware of this problem practice catch and-release,
especially during the winter and early spring.
Proper catch-and-release techniques have become especially important in
many fisheries, where minimum size limits are being used as management
tools, says DNR fisheries biologist Hal Beard. Many
believe that to protect the fishery, a combination of increased law
enforcement and education must take place. Capt. Gregg Smith of the
DNR's Law Enforcement Division is aware of the increasing fishing
pressure and has plans to increase the law enforcement presence on the
river. But even with more officers on the river, education of anglers
plays an important role. People need to know that removing the newly
released trout damages the fishery's potential.
Biologists are also considering some
changes in the management strategies of the trout fishery. "We have
talked about adjusting the program to enhance the quality of the
fish," Beard said. Instead of put, grow and take, Beard and Val
Nash, DNR chief of freshwater fisheries, are considering changing the
nature of the fishery to what he calls a "put and take"
situation. Fewer but larger fish would be stocked ready for anglers to
catch, with no growth period required.
For a free "Catch-and-Release"
brochure, call the DNR at (803) 734-3886.
STOP GAME AND FISH VIOLATORS
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