Date: 02/18/10
Contact: Doug Nielsen
Phone: (702) 486-5127 x 3500

TROUT VIEWING AT NDOW

Every spring, students in approximately 50 Clark County schools hatch and raise rainbow trout in their classrooms. It’s all part of the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) Trout in the Classroom program, which gives students the opportunity to view the lifecycle up close. Once the baby trout become fingerlings they will be released into local trout waters such as those at Floyd Lamb Park.

For those who don’t get the opportunity to participate in this program the NDOW Aquatic Education Program has set up in tank in the agency’s Las Vegas office. Anyone can stop by and view the process fish go through as they progress from eggs through the subsequent stages of development until they become swim-up fry. The lobby tank is set up just like those being used in the school classroom setting and is available for easy viewing.

The eggs should begin hatching on February 16 and continue through the next few days. After hatching the small fish (alevins) burrow down into the gravel for protection, feeding off of the yolk sac attached to them so that their fins can develop. It will take about 4 weeks for this process and then one day the tank seems to explode with small fish (fry) swimming all over the tank. There is no fee for viewing this amazing process.

The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) protects, restores and manages fish and wildlife, promotes fishing, hunting, and boating safety. NDOW’s wildlife and habitat conservation efforts are primarily funded by sportsmen’s license and conservation fees and a Federal surcharge on hunting and fishing gear. Support wildlife and habitat conservation in Nevada by purchasing a hunting, fishing, or combination license. For more information, visit www.ndow.org.