A trend in the stocking procedure of trout in tailwaters has developed as an outcome of increasing fishing pressure. Fingerling stocking of trout was initially recommended in tailwaters where an adequate food supply was available. and predation by predatory fish was not considered a problem. Eventually, fishing pressure increased and the fingerling trout were harvested before reaching a desirable size necessary to maintain a quality put-grow-and-take fishery. Consequently. stocking of larger catchablesize trout was resorted to; this procedure resulted in a quality put-and-take fishery. Several basic concepts pertaining to the development of trout fisheries in tailwaters were conceived after intensive investigation. The fishing pressure and harvest must first be known in order to stock trout at a proper rate and at the proper time to sustain a quality fishery. One technique that has had a great impact on the harvest in tailwaters that are relatively inaccessible to bank and wading anglers is the development of boat fishing. The major problem of most tailwater trout fisheries is that of erratic flow; a more sustained flow would provide better fishing conditions, alleviate periods of low-dissolved-oxygen levels and elevated water temperatures that are detrimental to trout, and prevent periods of high flow that can retard bottom fauna productivity and consequent trout growth.
