Cost/Benefit Analysis of a Catchable Rainbow Trout Fishery in Texas

An evaluation of stocking catchable rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri, in a section of the Brazos River was made in 1972-73 to determine if trout stocking is an economically and recreationally justifiable fishery management technique in Texas. A creel survey to measure fishing pressure and harvest, gross annual expenditures, and net economic value of the fishery was made before and after trout introduction. Benefits, in terms of increased harvest and utilization, were found to be substantially higher than the cost of stocking catchable rainbow trout.