First Year Assessment of Delayed Harvest Trout Regulations
Fisheries Outstanding Technical Paper
North Carolina implemented delayed harvest regulations in 1992 to diversify trout angling opportunities. Delayed harvest regulations allowed only catch-and-release fishing of stocked catchable-sized trout from 1 March-5 June 1992. Creel surveys were conducted on 2 streams to assess differences in angler trip characteristics, particularly catch rates, between delayed harvest and regular put-and-take (hatchery supported) trout streams. Catch rates of 3.16 and 6.54 trout per hour in delayed harvest areas were significantly higher than those of hatchery supported areas (1.87-2.52 trout per...
